cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast effect size shrinkage software for beta-binomial models of allelic imbalance

Allelic imbalance occurs when the two alleles of a gene are differentially expressed within a diploid organism and can indicate important differences in cis-regulation and epigenetic state across the two chromosomes. Because of this, the ability to accurately quantify the proportion at which each allele of a gene is expressed is of great interest to researchers. This becomes challenging in the presence of small read counts and/or sample sizes, which can cause estimators for allelic expression proportions to have high variance. Investigators have traditionally dealt with this problem by filtering out genes with small counts and samples. However, this may inadvertently remove important genes that have truly large allelic imbalances. Another option is to use pseudocounts or Bayesian estimators to reduce the variance. To this end, we evaluated the accuracy of four different estimators, the latter two of which are Bayesian shrinkage estimators: maximum likelihood, adding a pseudocount to each allele, approximate posterior estimation of GLM coefficients (apeglm) and adaptive shrinkage (ash). We also wrote C++ code to quickly calculate ML and apeglm estimates and integrated it into the apeglm package. The four methods were evaluated on two simulations and one real data set. Apeglm consistently performed better than ML according to a variety of criteria, and generally outperformed use of pseudocounts as well. Ash also performed better than ML in one of the simulations, but in the other performance was more mixed. Finally, when compared to five other packages that also fit beta-binomial models, the apeglm package was substantially faster and more numerically reliable, making our package useful for quick and reliable analyses of allelic imbalance. Apeglm is available as an R/Bioconductor package at http://bioconductor.org/packages/apeglm.
Current status of therapeutic HPV vaccines

The accumulating successes of immune-based treatments for solid tumors have prompted an explosion of cancer clinical trials testing strategies to elicit tumor-specific immune effector responses, either alone, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade, or with conventional cancer treatment modalities. However, across the board, clinical responses have been achieved in only a limited subset of cancer patients, underscoring a critical need to identify mechanisms and biomarkers of response, as well as mechanisms of resistance to therapy. Cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) are driven by two viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, both of which are functionally required for cellular transformation, thereby providing non-'self', tumor-specific antigenic targets. Immune responses that are specific for either or both of these oncoproteins can be used to follow the magnitude and kinetics of immune responses to therapeutic interventions. Moreover, identifying neoantigens is not a concern in early-stage disease - since HPV cancers are driven by HPV oncoproteins, the somatic mutational load in early disease is low, particularly in comparison to non-HPV-related squamous cancers arising in the same organ site [1,2]. Cancers caused by HPV are a model clinical setting in which to test principles of immunotherapies, and to discover mechanisms of interactions between tumors and their attendant immune milieu. In this review, we will use examples of insights gained from studies of HPV disease to illustrate major themes of immune-based therapeutic strategies.
Characterization of harmonic functions by the behavior of means at a single point

We give a characterization of harmonic functions by a mean value type property at a single point. We show that if u is real analytic in $$\Omega ,$$ $${\mathbf {a}}$$ is a fixed point of $$\Omega ,$$ and if for all homogeneous polynomials p of degree k the one dimensional function $$\begin{aligned} \varphi _{p}\left( r\right) =\int _{\mathbb {S}}u\left( \mathbf {a+} r\omega \right) p\left( \omega \right) \,\mathrm {d} \omega, \end{aligned}$$is a polynomial of degree k at the most in some interval $$0\le r<\eta _{p},$$ then u is harmonic in $$\Omega .$$ If u is smooth, and $$\eta _{p}=\eta $$ does not depend on p, then we show that u must be harmonic in the ball of center $${\mathbf {a}}$$ and radius $$\eta .$$ We also give a result that applies to distributions. Furthermore, we characterize harmonic functions by flow integrals around a single point.
Enhanced Coloration Efficiency of Electrochromic Tungsten Oxide Nanorods by Site Selective Occupation of Sodium Ions.

Coloration efficiency is an important figure of merit in electrochromic windows. Though it is thought to be an intrinsic material property, we tune optical modulation by effective utilization of io...
Evaluation of Pearl Millet With and Without Soybean Hull Supplementation for Forage-Finished Beef Production Systems

ObjectivesThe objective of this research was to evaluate pearl millet, a warm-season annual grass, with and without soybean hull supplementation for forage-finished beef production systems in the Southeast.Materials and MethodsEach year, 32 Angus-crossbred steers (339 ± 40 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four finishing treatments. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial and included two varieties of pearl millet, ‘Tifleaf 3’ (PM) and ‘Exceed’ brown mid-rib (BMR), and two levels of soybean hull supplementation, 0 and 0.75% of body weight d–1. Steers were on treatments for 90 and 84 d during the summers of 2017 and 2018, respectively, at the University of Georgia Department of Animal and Dairy Science Beef Research Unit located near Eatonton, GA. Shrunk weights were taken at initiation and termination of the finishing period and average daily gains (ADG) were calculated. At the end of the finishing period, steers were harvested under USDA inspection and carcass data was collected 24 h postmortem from the right side of each carcass. Striploins were then removed from the right side, vacuum packed, and allowed to age for 21 d prior to fabrication. Striploins were fabricated into 2.54-cm steaks and allocated to meats proximate (n = 1), 0 through 7 d of simulated shelf life (n = 8), trained sensory panel (n = 2), and instrumental tenderness analyses (n = 2). All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS v. 9.4.ResultsSupplementation increased ADG over forage alone (P 0.05), instrumental tenderness as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force (P = 0.94), initial and sustained tenderness (P = 0.66 and P = 0.29, respectively), beef and off-flavor intensities (P = 0.83 and P = 0.36, respectively), or juiciness (P = 0.54) as measured by a trained sensory panel. No treatment differences (P > 0.05) were observed for lipid oxidation or color change (Delta E) within any day of simulated shelf life. Calculated values for hue, chroma, and redness were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment within day of simulated shelf life.ConclusionResults indicate pearl millet is a viable forage option for forage-finished beef systems and soybean hull supplementation improves animal performance over forage alone with minimal impacts on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and shelf life.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a Patient with Myxedema Coma and COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with significant lung and cardiac morbidity but there is a limited understanding of the endocrine manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although thyrotoxicosis due to subacute thyroiditis has been reported in COVID-19, it is unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 infection can also lead to decompensated hypothyroidism. We present the first case of myxedema coma (MC) in COVID-19 and we discuss how SARS-CoV-2 may have precipitated multiorgan damage and sudden cardiac arrest in our patient. A 69-year-old woman with a history of small cell lung cancer presented with hypothermia, hypotension, decreased respiratory rate, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5. The patient was intubated and administered vasopressors. Laboratory investigation showed elevated thyrotropin, very low free thyroxine, elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody, and markedly elevated inflammatory markers. SARS-CoV-2 test was positive. Computed tomography showed pulmonary embolism and peripheral ground-glass opacities in the lungs. The patient was diagnosed with myxedema coma with concomitant COVID-19. While treatment with intravenous hydrocortisone and levothyroxine were begun the patient developed a junctional escape rhythm. Eight minutes later, the patient became pulseless and was eventually resuscitated. Echocardiogram following the arrest showed evidence of right heart dysfunction. She died 2 days later of multiorgan failure. This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 infection with MC. Sudden cardiac arrest likely resulted from the presence of viral pneumonia, cardiac arrhythmia, pulmonary emboli, and MC-all of which were associated with the patient's SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Corticosteroids Contribute to Serious Adverse Events Following Live Attenuated Varicella Vaccination and Live Attenuated Zoster Vaccination.

Corticosteroids, when given in high dosages, have long been recognized as a risk factor for severe infection with wild-type varicella-zoster virus in both children and adults. The goal of this review is to assess the degree to which both low-dosage and high-dosage corticosteroids contribute to serious adverse events (SAEs) following live varicella vaccination and live zoster vaccination. To this end, we examined multiple published reports of SAEs following varicella vaccination (VarivaxTM) and zoster vaccination (ZostavaxTM). We observed that five of eight viral SAEs following varicella vaccination, including two deaths, occurred in children receiving corticosteroids, while one of three fatal viral SAEs following live zoster vaccination occurred in an adult being treated with low-dosage prednisone. The latter death after live zoster vaccination occurred in a 70 year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, being treated with prednisone 10 mg daily. Thus, corticosteroids contributed to more severe infectious complications in subjects immunized with each of the two live virus vaccines. Further, when we surveyed the rheumatology literature as well as individual case reports, we documented examples where daily dosages of 7.5–20 mg prednisone were associated with increased rates of severe wild-type varicella-zoster virus infections in children and adults.
‘But I Ain’t a Judge’: The Therapeutic Jurisprudence Implications of the Use of Non-Judicial Officers in Criminal Justice Cases

The role of non-judicial officers occupies a hidden space in the US judicial system. Statutorily sanctioned in many jurisdictions, such officers have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including hearing certain pre-trial motions (e.g., NY CPL § 255.20) and making decisions as to conditions of probation for sex offenders (e.g., SDCL § 23A-27-12.1). In many jurisdictions, these officers are frequently not lawyers, and that there is significant evidence that many of the basic rudiments of the criminal trial process are often not honored. There has been virtually no consideration of this phenomenon in either the scholarly literature, and absolutely no consideration from the perspective of therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ), Among TJ’s primary focuses is an inquiry into whether legal rules, procedures, and lawyer roles can or should be reshaped to enhance their therapeutic potential while not subordinating due process principles. This clearly does not happen in the systems under discussion here.
Social Media, Messaging Apps, and Affective Polarization in the United States and Japan

This study explores how emerging media platforms (i.e., social media and messaging apps) contribute to affective political polarization. We rely on cross-national data (USA and Japan), which allows...
Naming and Knowing: Giving Forms to Things Unknown

LJ NLESS we believe that we can create a distinct name for every conceivable object, thought, feeling, and actionand persuade everyone else to use the same set of nameswe might as well concede from the start that we are necessarily creatures of metaphor. For time and time again, we are forced to construct and convey our understanding of things through the use of terms previously reserved for other things, on the basis of some perceived or conjectured similarity between them. And even if we refuse to accept that this sort of cross-naming and knowing-by-comparison is inevitable, we can hardly deny that metaphor does in fact account for a large portion of what we know and think, not to mention what we feel, communicate, and do. Metaphor, in other words, is no mere grammatical or rhetorical device. It is one of the major means by which we steer our way through life, gaining as much traction as we can on a roadbed of partial similarities. Common experiencesand experiences of commonalityallow us to construct concepts and words that can be used again and again in a wide variety of situations. This potential for multiple reference accounts for the power of metaphorthe power of comparing, comprehending, and communicating; the power of putting our finite resources to virtually infinite use. I have written about this elsewhere, focusing in particular
A Commonsense Approach to Personality Measurement

The sun, the moon, the clouds, and the stars provided ancient astrologers with clues to people’s characters and destinies. Other oracles relied on other sources of information: The hydromancer read the airs, winds, and waters; the necromancer consulted with the dead; the haruspex interpreted patterns of lightning or the entrails of a sacrificed animal; the alchemist read shapes formed by a thin stream of molten lead poured into a bowl of water. These soothsayers were regarded as unenlightened by their rivals and descendants, who offered more personalized pronouncements based on elements of the client’s own physical structure: The chiromancer read the lines on one’s palm; the physiognomist, facial features; the phrenologist, skull conformation. More recently, psychologists have sought to discern people’s character by interpreting records of their self-expression, such as samples of handwriting, projective test responses, and nonverbal behavior. Today’s methods of personality measurement arose from this venerable tradition. Many of them still contain remnants of the occult (the word comes from the Latin occultus, past participle of a verb meaning to cover up, to hide) that need to be dispelled.
Joint radar-communications performance bounds: Data versus estimation information rates

We investigate methods of co-existence between radar and communications systems. Since historically each system views the other as a source of interference, the systems are traditionally isolated spectrally or spatially in order to prevent performance degradation. By considering a cooperative radar and communications signaling scheme, we derive achievable bounds on performance for a receiver that observes communications and radar return in the same frequency allocation. These inner bounds on performance will be derived in scenarios where the radar system has to perform target parameter estimation for multiple targets. Additionally, a novel inner bound that maximizes the Fisher information for radar parameter estimation is also derived. Bounds on performance of the joint system are measured in terms of data information rate for communications and radar estimation information rate parameterization for the radar.
Criminological scholarship and race

Abstract A recent article published in this journal by Ross and Edwards (1998) argued the devaluement of minority scholarship through exclusionary practices in the academic field of criminal justice. Here, the Ross and Edwards method was replicated with a different study population to illustrate problems with the design of that study. Methodological errors were identified that preclude drawing an inference of race-specific exclusion.
The Black Christ

This compelling portrait of who Jesus is for the black community surveys the history of the Black Christ from the early slave testimonies to the writings of prominent religious and literary figures through the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.
A Gluing Algorithm for Network-Distributed Multibody Dynamics Simulation

The improved performance and capacity of networks has made the combined processing power of workstation clusters a potentially promising avenue for solving computationally intensive problems across such distributed environments. Moreover, networks provide an ideal platform to employ heterogeneous hardware and software to solve multibody dynamics problems. One fun- damental difficulty with distributed simulation is the requirement to couple and synchronize the distributed simulations. This paper focuses on the algorithms necessary to couple together separately developed multibody dynamics modules so that they can perform integrated system simulation. To identify a useful coupling strategy, candidate numerical algorithms in the literature are reviewed briefly - namely, stiff time integration, local parameterization, waveform relaxation, stabilized con- straint and perturbation. An unobtrusive algorithm that may well serve this 'gluing' role is presented. Results from numerical experiments are presented and the performance of the gluing algorithm is investigated.
Competition, Cooperation, and Optimization in Multi-Hop CSMA Networks with Correlated Traffic

The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for the study of the competition and co- operation relationships among nodes in a network us- ing a CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) proto- col implemented with an exponential backoff process. Self-organized behavior is proposed. Standard topolo- gies, such as tandem, traffic splitting and merging, are studied with variables: 1) backoff rate, 2) topology po- sition, 3) traffic splitting. Several interesting phenom- ena are reported. We propose a “Channel Utilization Model” with a new derived variable “channel access rate” which can be used for all traffic loads. These mod- els are applied with different optimization methods. Special strategies, for example “MAC Friendliness”, are also presented for serving special traffic like emergency traffic.
Quantifying metabolic asymmetry modulo structure in Alzheimer's disease

In this paper we describe a new method for quantifying metabolic asymmetry modulo structural hemispheric differences. The study of metabolic asymmetry in Alzheimer's disease (AD) serves as a driving application. The approach is based on anatomical atlas construction by large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) first introduced in [1]. Using invariance properties of the LDDMM, we define a structurally symmetric coordinate frame in which metabolic asymmetries between the left and the right hemispheres can be studied. This structurally symmetric coordinate system of each subject provides the correspondence between left and right hemispheric structures in an individual brain. These correspondences are used for measuring metabolic asymmetry modulo structural asymmetry. Again using the atlas construction framework, we build a common symmetric coordinate system of a entire population. The metabolic asymmetry maps of individuals in a population under study are mapped into the common structurally symmetric coordinate frame, allowing for a statistical description of the populations metabolic asymmetry. In this paper we prove certain invariance properties of the LDDMM atlas construction framework that make the definition of structurally symmetric coordinate systems possible. We present results from applying the methodology to images from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)[2].
Parallel implementation of wavelet decomposition/reconstruction algorithms

The wavelet decomposition algorithm can be used to break down a signal into many components before processing. Single processor- based wavelet algorithms have been used in signal and image analysis with great success. However, serial algorithms are inadequate to meet the demand for speed of processing in many real-time applications. An alternative to this problem is to parallelize computing steps in the wavelet computation to meet the real time computing requirements. We have constructed parallel algorithms for wavelet decomposition and reconstruction, and have implemented them in a MasPar parallel computer. Preliminary results indicate a two-order increase in processing speed is achieved.
Crom: Faster web browsing using speculative execution

Early web content was expressed statically, making it amenable to straightforward prefetching to reduce user-perceived network delay. In contrast, today's rich web applications often hide content behind JavaScript event handlers, confounding static prefetching techniques. Sophisticated applications use custom code to prefetch data and do other anticipatory processing, but these custom solutions are costly to develop and application-specific.This paper introduces Crom, a generic JavaScript speculation engine that greatly simplifies the task of writing low-latency, rich web applications. Crom takes preexisting, non-speculative event handlers and creates speculative versions, running them in a cloned browser context. If the user generates a speculated-upon event, Crom commits the precomputed result to the real browser context. Since Crom is written in JavaScript, it runs on unmodified client browsers. Using experiments with speculative versions of real applications, we show that pre-commit speculation overhead easily fits within user think time. We also show that speculatively fetching page data and precomputing its layout can make subsequent page loads an order of magnitude faster.
Urban Transit Systems and Technology

For those transit planners who want to gain an in-depth knowledge of urban transit systems and technology, Vuchic's Urban Transit Systems and Technology is a must. This book can serve as an excelle...
Application of Agglutinins for the Rapid and Accurate Identification of Medically Important Candida Species

Agglutinins have been prepared against the medically important Candida species. Crude antisera to the various species demonstrated intense cross-reactions with heterologous yeastlike fungi as well as with many true yeasts. However, carefully monitored adsorptions of selected antisera allowed the production of six factor sera that proved useful in a slide agglutination test. These six sera permitted the rapid and specific identification of C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. pseudotropicalis. They also allowed the delineation of two groups: (i) C. albicans (type A)-C. tropicalis and (ii) C. albicans (type B)-C. stellatoidea. C. albicans type A could be readily distinguished from C. tropicalis by its ability to form germ tubes in serum. C. stellatoidea could be distinguished from C. albicans type B by its predominantly filamentous growth on a nutritionally deficient medium. The medically important Candida species could be identified within 24 hr by the combined use of serological and morphological procedures.
Specific splice variants are associated with Parkinson's disease.

Background Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) currently relies on assessment of motor symptoms. Recently, sensitive, specific, and readily available splice variant–specific biomarkers were identified in peripheral blood from participants in the Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Parkinson Disease study. Methods Here we test for an association between candidate splice variant biomarkers and PD in blood of an independent population of cases and controls nested in the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center Biomarker Study. Results Expression of 7 out of 13 candidate biomarkers was dysregulated in whole cellular blood of patients with PD. Conclusions These results support the view that differential expression of a subset of splice-variant markers in blood is associated with PD. Further evaluation in untreated, de novo patients and at-risk subjects is warranted. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Gs signaling in osteoblasts and hematopoietic stem cells

The heterotrimeric G protein Gs is a major mediator of the actions of several G protein-coupled receptors that target cells of the osteoblast lineage. For this reason, we generated chimeric mice with normal host cells and cells derived from embryonic stem cells missing the gene encoding the alpha subunit of Gs. While the mutant cells contributed to cortical osteoblasts and to hematopoietic cells in the liver, the marrow space contained few if any osteoblasts or hematopoietic cells missing Gs. Subsequent studies using the Cre-lox approach to delete Gsalpha from early cells of the osteoblast lineage and from hematopoietic stem cells were performed. These studies demonstrated the crucial roles of Gsalpha in osteoblastic cells in regulating the differentiation of osteoblasts and in supporting B-cell development as well as the essential role for Gsalpha in hematopoietic stem cells in allowing the homing of these cells to the marrow.
Alteration and geochemical zoning in Bodie Bluff, Bodie mining district, eastern California

Abstract Banded, epithermal quartz-adularia veins have produced about 1.5 million ounces of gold and 7 million ounces of silver from the Bodie mining district, eastern California. The veins cut dacitic lava flows, pyroclastic rocks and intrusions. Sinter boulders occur in a graben structure at the top of Bodie Bluff and fragments of sinter and mineralized quartz veins occur in hydrothermal breccias nearby. Explosive venting evidently was part of the evolution of the ore-forming geothermal systems which, at one time, must had reached the paleosurface. Previous reconnaissance studies at Bodie Bluff suggested that the geometry of alteration mineral assemblages and distribution of some of the major and trace elements throughout the system correspond to those predicted by models of hot-spring, volcanic rock hosted precious metal deposits (Silberman, 1982; Silberman and Berger, 1985). The current study was undertaken to evaluate these sugestions further. About 500 samples of quartz veins and altered rocks, including sinter, collected over a vertical extent of 200 meters within Bodie Bluff were petrographically examined and chemically analyzed for trace elements by emission spectrographic and atomic absorption methods. Sixty-five samples were analyzed for major elements by X-ray fluorescence methods. The results of these analyses showed that, in general, alteration mineral assemblage and vertical geochemical zoning patterns follow those predicted for hot-spring deposits, but that geochemical zoning patterns for sinter and quartz veins (siliceous deposits), and altered wall rocks are not always similar. The predicted depth-concentration patterns for some elements, notably Au, Ag, Hg, and Tl in quartz veins, and Hg, As and Ag in wall rocks were not as expected, or were perturbed by the main ore producing zone. For both quartz veins and altered wall rocks, the main ore zone had elevated metal contents. Increased concentration of many of these elements could indicate proximity to this zone. However, irregularities in the distribution of some key elements, such as Au and Ag, relative to the predictive models suggest that a larger suite of elements be considered for exploration for ore zones within the district.
Pharmacokinetics of amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclovir after oral administration: interaction with the transporters on Caco-2 cells.

Abstract In vivo systemic absorption of the amino acid prodrugs of acyclovir (ACV) after oral administration was evaluated in rats. Stability of the prodrugs, l -alanine-ACV (AACV), l -serine-ACV (SACV), l -isoleucine-ACV (IACV), γ-glutamate-ACV (EACV) and l -valine-ACV (VACV) was evaluated in various tissues. Interaction of these prodrugs with the transporters on Caco-2 cells was studied. In vivo systemic bioavailability of these prodrugs upon oral administration was evaluated in jugular vein cannulated rats. The amino acid ester prodrugs showed affinity towards various amino acid transporters as well as the peptide transporter on the Caco-2 cells. In terms of stability, EACV was most enzymatically stable compared to other prodrugs especially in liver homogenate. In oral absorption studies, ACV and AACV showed high terminal elimination rate constants ( λ z ). SACV and VACV exhibited approximately five-fold increase in area under the curve (AUC) values relative to ACV ( p 0.05). C max(T) (maximum concentration) of SACV was observed to be 39 ± 22 μM in plasma which is 2 times better than VACV and 15 times better than ACV. C last(T) (concentration at the last time point) of SACV was observed to be 0.18 ± 0.06 μM in plasma which is two times better than VACV and three times better than ACV. Amino acid ester prodrugs of ACV were absorbed at varying amounts ( C max ) and eliminated at varying rates ( λ z ) thereby leading to varying extents (AUC). The amino acid ester prodrug SACV owing to its enhanced stability, higher AUC and better concentration at last time point seems to be a promising candidate for the oral treatment of herpes infections.
Establishing Optimal Optical Channels Automatically

We show how to find multiple orthogonal channels between optical transmitters and receivers even with strong scattering and loss. The method requires no measurement of field or scatterer, no device calibration, and no calculations.
Infection Reduces Return-to-duty Rates for Soldiers with Type III Open Tibia Fractures

Abstract : Infection is a potentially devastating complication following severe lower extremity trauma, but its impact on the outcomes of combat casualties remains unclear. We hypothesize that orthopedic infectious complications will have a negative impact on holistic patient outcome as measured by return-to-duty (RTD) and disability ratings among wounded soldiers. We reviewed the medical records for 115 wounded soldiers who sustained a Type III open tibia fracture and tabulated the prevalence of infectious complications. We searched the Physical Evaluation Board database to determine the disability ratings of soldiers with and without an infection and how many of each group was able to return to active duty service. The average percent disability rating and RTD rates between groups were compared using an unpaired t test and W2 test, respectively. Overall, 40% of our cohort had an infectious complication of their fractured limb. Twenty-one soldiers were able to RTD, while 94 could not and were medically retired. Of those medically retired, 44% had an infection. The average percent disability among soldiers with infection was 55%, compared with 47% for those who were not infected ( p 0.1407). Soldiers who experienced any type of infectious complication (p 0.0470) and having osteomyelitis ( p 0.0335) had a lower chance of RTD compared with those who had no infection. Having a deep soft tissue infection alone showed a strong trend toward decreased RTD rate (p 0.0558). Infectious complications following severe lower extremity trauma significantly decrease the rate of RTD. In addition, the presence of infectious complications demonstrates a trend toward higher disability ratings in the combat wounded.
A Note on Nilpotent Operators

We find that a bounded linear operator T on a complex Hilbert space H satisfies the norm relation |||T|na|| =2q, for any vector a in H such that q≤（||Ta||-4-1||Ta||2)≤1.A partial converse to Theorem 1 by Haagerup and Harpe in [1] is suggested. We establish an upper bound for the numerical radius of nilpotent operators.
Adenosine deaminase in normal and partially hepatectomized rat tissues.

Abstract 1. 1. The molecular form pattern of adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolyase, EC 3.5.4.4), has been characterized in eight rat tissues. 2. 2. In all the tissues only the C form of the enzyme was found. 3. 3. The effect of partial hepatectomy on this enzyme was examined with tissues from partially hepatectomized and normal rats by comparing the specific activity levels, profiles from gel filtration, electrophoresis and thin-layer isoelectric focusing studies. 4. 4. The specific activity level of adenosine deaminase was elevated in the liver, the intestine and the spleen, while no significant change was observed in the other tissues. 5. 5. Two isozymes with isoeleetric point values (pI) of 4.80 and 4.95 were identified in tissues of normal and partially hepatectomized rats.
Transcription and mRNA Stability: Parental Guidance Suggested

The level of an mRNA within a cell depends on both its rate of synthesis and rate of decay. Now, independent studies by Bregman et al. and Trcek et al. provide evidence that these two processes are integrated. They show that transcription factors and DNA promoters can directly influence the relative stability of transcripts that they produce.
Fitting real data to a pulse position jittered model

A disk channel model in which pulses of known shape and unknown amplitudes are jittered from a nominal regular spacing is proposed. The authors attempt to derive theoretical bounds on the accuracy of any estimation procedure based on this model and attempt to describe and evaluate an algorithm that produces estimates of the model parameters with accuracy close to the theoretical bound. A Cramer-Rao bound, which gives a finite lower bound on the variance of the estimation error, is presented. It is shown that by expressing amplitude estimates in terms of pulse positions, a search over the resulting function is equivalent to an estimation procedure that finds estimates close to the Cramer-Rao bound. The Cramer-Rao bound can be used to prove that the accuracy of amplitude estimates is independent of the amplitudes themselves. Accuracy of pulse-position estimates is dependent on pulse amplitudes and pulse positions. However, simulations have shown that as pulses move together it becomes more difficult to estimate the actual pulse positions and that position jitter may appear to be amplitude jitter. It is therefore difficult to distinguish between position and amplitude jitters when the pulses are closely spaced. >
The relaxed oscillation technique for the determination of the moment of inertia of limb segments

Abstract Neuromuscular reflex forces are overwhelmed by inertial reaction forms when a human limb is suddenly displaced. A method, using forced sinusoidal oscillations of the limb when the limb musculature is relaxed, is described for determination of the moment of inertia of the limb. The slope of the graph of peak to peak force versus peak to peak acceleration for each of a series of oscillation frequencies (peak velocity maintained constant) yields an accurate measurement of the moment of inertia. When the moment of inertia is multiplied by the displacement acceleration and the result subtracted from the corresponding force record, neuromuscular reflex forces, and the viscoelastic properties of activated muscle may be observed.
Rapid, safe and simple method for grafting whole thymus in the mouse

Abstract A rapid, safe and simple method is presented for obtaining and grafting whole neonatal thymuses in mice. No anesthesia, sutures or incisions are required for implantation, The grafting technique involves no special skills except the ability to inject mice subcutaneously. Thymuses grafted by the method described show normal architecture, survive lethal irradiation and bone marrow reconstitution, repopulate thymic dependent areas of peripheral lymphoid organs and restore normal inflammatory cell responses to thymic deprived mice.
Power analysis for genome-wide association studies

Genome-wide association studies are a promising new tool for deciphering the genetics of complex diseases. To choose the proper sample size and genotyping platform for such studies, power calculations that take into account genetic model, tag SNP selection, and the population of interest are required. The power of genome-wide association studies can be computed using a set of tag SNPs and a large number of genotyped SNPs in a representative population, such as available through the HapMap project. As expected, power increases with increasing sample size and effect size. Power also depends on the tag SNPs selected. In some cases, more power is obtained by genotyping more individuals at fewer SNPs than fewer individuals at more SNPs. Genome-wide association studies should be designed thoughtfully, with the choice of genotyping platform and sample size being determined from careful power calculations.
The experience of grief in the head-injured adult

The current study attempted to assess the grief process in head-injured adults and to compare this with the grief process of individuals bereaved due to the death of a loved one. In addition, because grief often produces difficulty with cognitive processes, it was hypothesized that bereaved individuals would demonstrate impaired performance on neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and reasoning ability. Significant differences between head-injured and bereaved individuals were found on only one clinical scale of the Grief Experience Inventory largely supporting the idea that grief among these individuals is similar. While a trend suggestive of the second hypothesis was found on tests of cognition, the head-injured and bereaved subjects differed significantly on all such tests with the exception of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and specific subtests of the California Verbal Learning Test.
Electromagnetic field calculations for a sphere illuminated by a higher-order Gaussian beam. II. Far-field scattering

A previously developed theoretical procedure for determination of electromagnetic fields associated with the interaction of a higher-order Gaussian beam with a homogeneous spherical particle is used to investigate the effects of incident beam type on far-field scattering. Far-field scattering patterns are calculated for (0,0), (0,1), and (1,1) mode Hermite–Gaussian beams and for the helix doughnut mode beam. The effects of incident beam type on the angular distribution of far-field scattering, for both on-sphere-center and off-sphere-center focusing, are examined.
Nicotine exposure and bronchial epithelial cell nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the pathogenesis of lung cancer

Forty-eight million Americans smoke because of addiction to nicotine, and prevention of smoking initiation and new methods for aiding in smoking cessation are some of the most important opportunities for disease prevention available (1). This smoking addiction results from nicotine acting on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) in the brain in key regions controlling behavior. There is detailed structural and functional information on neuronal nAchRs that are the prototype of ligand-gated ion channels mediating transmission of endogenous acetylcholine (Ach) and exogenous nicotine signals in the central and peripheral nervous system (2). In addition to the well-formulated role of nAchRs in the etiology of addiction, emerging evidence suggests that nicotine contributes directly to lung carcinogenesis through stimulation of nAchRs in non-neuronal cells. Our group showed that many lung cancers expressed nAchRs and that low concentrations of nicotine blocked the induction of apoptosis in these cells (3). Conti-Fine’s group demonstrated that functional nAchRs are expressed in human and rodent bronchial epithelial cells (4, 5). While not in the bronchial epithelium, Grando and colleagues showed that human epidermal keratinocytes synthesize, secrete, and degrade Ach which is used to mediate stimulation of calcium influx and cell differentiation through α7 nAchRs on these same cells (6, 7). nAchRs bind not only nicotine, but also nicotine-derived nitrosamines such as the tobacco specific carcinogens N′-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3–pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), which are potent lung carcinogens. There is evidence from Schuller’s group that lung cancer and fetal pulmonary neuroendocrine cells express nAchRs that bind these ligands with higher affinity than nicotine stimulating the growth of these cells (8–10).
Potentiation of GABAA receptor agonists by GABA uptake inhibitors in the rat ventral midbrain

Abstract Whole-cell patch recordings were made from dopamine-containing neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra zona compacta (SNC). Isoguvacine evoked an outward current (at −60 mV) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC 50 of 62±8 μM. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake inhibitor 1-(2(((diphenylmethylene)imino)oxy)ethyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pyridine-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (NO 711) (3 μM) shifted the isoguvacine concentration–response curve to the left, with a new EC 50 of 22±4 μM. l -Arginine (3 mM) also shifted the isoguvacine concentration–response curve to the left, with a new EC 50 of 29±5 μM. l -Arginine (3 mM) increased the currents evoked by GABA (100 μM) and muscimol (1 μM) by 208% and 261%, respectively. The GABA uptake inhibitor 4,5,6,7,-tetrahydroisoxazolo[4,5- c ]-pyridin-3-ol hydrobromide (THPO) (300 μM) not only mimicked but also occluded the ability of l -arginine (3 mM) to potentiate currents evoked by isoguvacine. Equimolar replacement of Na + with choline increased GABA-evoked currents, suggesting that a low Na + concentration has an inhibitory effect on GABA transport. Low Na + concentration (25 mM) inhibited isoguvacine currents but still occluded the potentiating effects of l -arginine. We conclude that GABA uptake inhibitors potentiate the actions of the GABA A receptor agonists, isoguvacine and muscimol, probably because they are effective substrates for GABA transporters in the ventral midbrain.
Levothyroxin restores hypothyroidism-induced impairment of LTP of hippocampal CA1: electrophysiological and molecular studies.

Abstract Hypothyroidism impairs synaptic plasticity as well as learning and memory. Clinical reports are conflicting about the ability of thyroid hormone replacement therapy to fully restore the hypothyroidism-induced learning and memory impairment. Recently, we have shown that hypothyroidism impairs LTP and cognition in adult rats. We have studied the effect of thyroxin replacement therapy on hypothyroidism-induced LTP impairment using electrophysiological and molecular approaches. Recording from CA1 region of the hippocampus in anesthetized adult rat indicated that 6 weeks of thyroxin replacement therapy (20 μg/kg/day) fully restored LTP impaired by hypothyroidism. Western blotting showed reduction in phosphorylated (P)-CAMKII, total-CaMKII, neurogranin, and calmodulin basal levels in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of hypothyroid rats. The levels of these molecules were normalized by thyroxin replacement therapy. The hypothyroid-induced elevation of basal calcineurin levels and activity was also normalized by thyroxin treatment. However, thyroxin replacement therapy did not restore hypothyroidism-induced reduction in PKCγ basal protein levels. Additionally, real-time PCR, showed a reduction in basal neurogranin mRNA level that was normalized by thyroxin replacement therapy. In the sham (control) rats, induction of LTP by high-frequency stimulation increases P-CaMKII, and total CaMKII levels as well as CaMKII phosphotransferase activity. However, in hypothyroid rats, the same stimulation protocol induced an increase only in total-CaMKII. Thyroxin treatment normalized the levels and activity of these molecules. The results demonstrated that thyroxin therapy normalized the electrophysiological and molecular effects of hypothyroidism on the CA1 region and emphasized the critical role P-CaMKII plays in hypothyroidism-induced LTP impairment.
Combined heart and kidney transplantation provides an excellent survival and decreases risk of cardiac cellular rejection and coronary allograft vasculopathy.

Abstract Background We analyzed the results of combined heart-kidney transplantation (CHKTx) over a 10-year period. Methods Between September 1996 and May 2007 at Mayo Clinic, 12 patients (age 52 ± 12.2 years) underwent CHKTx as a simultaneous procedure in 10 recipients and as a staged procedure in two recipients with unstable hemodynamics after heart transplantation. Results There was no operative mortality. Patient survival rates for the CHKTx recipients at 1 and 3 months and 6 years were 91%, 83%, and 83% and did not differ from isolated heart transplantation (IHTx) recipients (97%, 95%, and 79%, P = 0.61). The freedom from cardiac allograft rejection (≥grade 2) at 3 months was 73% for CHKTx and had not changed during further follow-up; for IHTx, freedom from rejection at 3 months and 1 and 6 years was 61%, 56%, and 42% (P = .08). Heart and renal allograft survival was 100% with and left ventricular ejection fraction 66% ± 8.4% and glomerular filtration rate 61 ± 25 at last follow-up. There were no signs of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in the CHKTx recipients. Conclusion CHKTx yields favorable long-term outcome, with a low incidence of cardiac rejection and vasculopathy. Simultaneous CHKTx appears feasible, if hemodynamics is satisfactory. This approach expands the selection criteria for transplantation in patients with coexisting end-stage cardiac and renal disease.
Analysis of potato glycoalkaloids by a new ELISA kit

Steroidal glycoalkaloids are naturally occurring compounds present in solanaceous plants including potatoes. They are reported to be toxic to animals and humans. The recognition of their potential toxicity has led to implementation of guidelines limiting glycoalkaloid content. The effectiveness of these guidelines is dependent upon reliable analytical methods for their analysis. The objective of this study was to develop a simple, rapid, and inexpensive immunoassay for potato glycoalkaloids that correlates with HPLC. This was successfully demonstrated with various potato samples, including eight fresh potato varieties; potato flesh, peel, sprouts, and leaves; and processed products such as French fries, chips, and skins. Storage of the ELISA kit in a refrigerator for > 3 months did not affect its effectiveness. The use of a stable, accurate, and highly sensitive ELISA kit should facilitate (a) development of standard protocols for handling and sampling of potatoes to minimize pre- and postharvest glycoalkaloid formation; (b) analysis of foliar glycoalkaloids, thus saving plant breeders considerable time, effort, and cost; (c) marketing potatoes at lower cost; (d) measurement of the metabolism and distribution of glycoalkaloids in animals and humans; and (e) assurance to the consumer of eating a good quality potato.
Congenital tricuspid atresia.

Abstract 1. 1. Two cases of congenital tricuspid atresia with autopsies are presented. 2. 2. The cases illustrate two anatomical types of tricuspid atresia: (a) the more common tricuspid atresia without transposition of the great vessels and with pulmonary stenosis (Type IB), and (b) the rarer tricuspid atresia with transposition of the great vessels and without pulmonic or subpulmonic stenosis (Type IIB). 3. 3. In tricuspid atresia the electrocardiogram need not show left axis deviation. 4. 4. The presence or absence of pulmonary vascular markings is not a reliable differential point in the diagnosis of transposition of the great vessels without pulmonary stenosis. 5. 5. On the basis of the anatomical findings it is suggested that an aortopulmonary shunt (Potts) may be indicated in tricuspid atresia with transposition of the great vessels and without pulmonary stenosis. The anastomotic procedure might equalize the blood flow to the lungs and to the periphery.