cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing Aldo Leopold’s ideas through the socio-ecological practice of green burial: Ramsey creek preserve in South Carolina, USA

Ramsey Creek Preserve in Westminster, SC has successfully implemented Aldo Leopold’s ideas of conservation through the socio-ecological practice of green burial. This article showcases Ramsey Creek Preserve’s green burial standards, born from Leopold’s ideas, and the practical and scholarly inspiration that they have yielded.
Preservation at the Grassroots: Pittsburgh’s Manchester and Cincinnati’s Mt. Auburn Neighborhoods:

This article analyzes community-based organizations’ (CBOs) use of historic preservation as a means of stabilizing low-income neighborhoods. It chronicles the experience of two foundational cases— Pittsburgh’s Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC) and Cincinnati’s Mt. Auburn Good Housing Foundation (MAGHF), which undertook nationally recognized historic preservation projects in the 1970s. The MAGHF, although a precedent for the more successful MCC, ultimately dissolved under the weight of resident dissent and financial pressures. The research discusses the complexities of using preservation in low-income areas and assesses the reasons leading to success and/or failure.
Operation and evaluation of the terminal configured vehicle mission simulator in an automated terminal area metering and spacing ATC environment

The development of a mission simulator for use in the Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV) program is outlined. The broad objectives of the TCV program are to evaluate new concepts in airborne systems and in operational flight procedures. These evaluations are directed toward improving terminal area capacity and efficiency, improving approach and landing capability in adverse weather, and reducing noise impact in the terminal area. A description is given of the design features and operating principles of the two major components of the TCV Mission Simulator: the TCV Aft Flight Deck Simulation and the Terminal Area Air Traffic Model Simulation, and their merger to form the TCV Mission Simulator. The first research study conducted in the Mission Simulator is presented along with some preliminary results.
An algorithm to identify preterm infants in administrative claims data.

Purpose To develop and validate an algorithm to identify preterm infants in the absence of birth certificates within Medicaid data. Methods Medicaid fee-for-service claims data from Florida (FL) and Texas (TX) were linked to vital statistics data for infants who were continuously eligible during the first 3months following birth or died within that period. Prematurity was defined as less than 34weeks gestational age. Using FL as exploratory dataset and vital statistics birth data as gold standard, we developed a logistic regression model from diagnostic and procedure codes commonly associated with preterm care, creating a prematurity score for each infant. A score cutoff was selected that maximized sensitivity while maintaining a positive predictive value (PPV) ≥90%. Confirmatory analyses were conducted in the TX datasets. Results The prevalence of prematurity was 5.2% (95%CI: 5.1–5.2) and 4.5% (95%CI: 4.4–4.6) in FL and TX, respectively. Using only gestational age International Classification of Disease version 9, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes (765.20–765.27) associated with inpatient claims achieved sensitivity of 25.7% (FL) and 12.5% (TX), specificity of 99.9% (FL) and (TX), and PPV of 91.7% (FL) and 84.8% (TX). The model had excellent discriminatory validity with a c-statistic of 0.928 (95%CI: 0.925–0.931). The selected cutoff point achieved sensitivity of 52.6%, specificity of 99.8%, and PPV of 91.7% in FL. In TX, sensitivity was 46.8%, specificity was 99.9%, and PPV was 82.2%. Conclusion Identification of prematurity based on gestational age ICD-9-CM codes is not sensitive. The prematurity score has superior construct validity and allows more comprehensive identification of preterm infants in the absence of birth certificates. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. key words—prematurity; sensitivity; specificity; Medicaid; gestational age; birth certificates; claims data; pharmacoepidemiology
Characterization of the fliL gene in the flagellar regulon of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

filL is a small gene of unknown function that lies within the beginning of a large flagellar operon of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. A spontaneous fliL mutant of S. typhimurium, containing a frameshift mutation about 40% from the 39 end of the gene, was moderately motile but swarmed poorly, suggesting that FliL might be a component of the flagellar motor or switch. However, in-frame deletions of the E. coli gene, including an essentially total deletion, had little or no effect on motility or chemotaxis. Thus, FliL does not appear to have a major role in flagellar structure or function and is therefore unlikely to be a component of the motor or switch; the effect on motility caused by truncation of the gene is probably an indirect one. Images
The Hope of Creation: The Significance of ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι (Rom 8.20c) in Context

This paper explores the meaning of ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι in Rom 8.20c. This phrase has been variously understood as denoting a hope exercised by the one who subjected creation or a hope inhering in creation despite its subjection. After surveying and evaluating the standard proposals, I argue for an alternative manner of punctuating vv. 19–21 that makes it possible to preserve the most common meaning of ἐπί with the dative, while also taking creation itself as the agent that acts ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι. This proposal obviates a number of difficulties with conventional readings, and highlights the parallels between Paul's statements about the hope of creation in vv. 19–21 and the hope of believers in vv. 24–5.
Low-complexity macroblock mode selection for H.264-AVC encoders

Lagrangian minimization is one of the most powerful tools for rate-distortion optimal coding mode selection. However, in the latest video compression standard H.264/AVC, the total calculation for costs of all candidate modes may become huge since the new standard supports a large number of coding modes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for fast coding mode selection in H.264/AVC encoders by reducing the number of candidate modes. We also present a rate estimation method for further reduction of Lagrangian cost calculation. Extensive experiments show that the proposed methods can reduce the execution time of mode selection in H.264/AVC reference software by 85% on the average while average PSNR loss is only 0.07 dB.
The JAK/STAT pathway and Drosophila development

The JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway plays a critical role in mammalian cells, particularly in hematopoiesis and immune responses. Several components of this pathway have been identified and characterized in Drosophila. Mutational analyses of these components have revealed a number of interesting developmental roles, and provide a mechanism to identify other interacting molecules and pathways. Hence, the JAK/STAT pathway in Drosophila serves as an attractive model for in vivo functional analyses of JAK/STAT signaling.
An autonomous model to enforce security policies based on user's behavior

To protect user's information, computer systems utilize access control models. These models are supported by a set of policies defined by security administrators in the environment where the organization is active. In previous studies it has been shown that building a user interface that dynamically changes with the security policies defined for each user is a cumbersome task. This work is a further expansion of an improved dynamic model that adjusts users' security policies based on the level of trust that they hold. We use machine learning beside the trust manager component that helps the system to adapt itself, learn from the user's behavior and recognize access patterns based on the similar access requests and not only limit the illegitimate access, but also predict and prevent potential malicious and questionable accesses.
Simple Laboratory Method for Measuring Pavement Macrotexture: Pavement Cores and Aggregate Image Measurement System

Pavement surface friction influences traffic accident rates, especially during wet weather, and is affected by pavement surface texture as characterized by microtexture and macrotexture. This study investigated the utility of measuring pavement surface macrotexture in the laboratory by using the aggregate image measurement system (AIMS) on cores extracted from pavement sections. Texture measurements made in the laboratory with AIMS were compared with texture measurements made on the pavement with the circular track meter (CTMeter). Previous research established a strong correlation between the mean profile depth (MPD) from the CTMeter, which considered averages of maximum heights, and the mean texture depth from the sand patch test, a volumetric method that was the accepted standard for macrotexture measurement. Similarly, in this study, statistical analysis showed a good correlation between the MPD values from AIMS measurements on pavement cores, based on analysis with 50-mm (2-in.) scan line segment len...
Religious Pluralism and Values in the Public Sphere: Some Concluding Thoughts

Diversity of outlooks, practices, values, and ideas is inherent in the human condition. Cultures differ. So do personal histories, circumstances, and prospects. Differences between generations may widen as trade, travel, exile, migration, and communication speed our cultural interactions. The question of this book has been how we should cope, as individuals and communities, with the dazzling diversity we confront. The answer I have proposed is rooted in the ideal of openness. Openness does not mean relativism, and skepticism is not its nutriment, although it may be a byproduct or a motive. One can respect differences without abandoning one's commitments. One needs to know oneself if one is to engage in fruitful dialogue with others. A relativism that pretends all views are equally sound or welcomes all practices as equally wholesome or apposite is not generous or practical but patronizing. A skepticism that dismisses all thoughts but what seems self-evident is just the opposite of open-minded. And neither relativism nor skepticism affords stable ground for self-cultivation. Groups, like individuals, are nourished by what they learn from others. So societies that favor intercommunal understanding are the richer for it. They make a resource of what too often seems a difficulty. The notion that diversity spells trouble may stem in part from the illusion that societies need a common ideology and uniform practices. I do not think either sort of unity has ever existed, unless as an artifact of lazy analysis or simple stereotyping. Just consider how different idiolects can be. Ways of living and thinking are far more varied. Neuroscientists find more synaptic connections in each human brain as it actively responds to experience than there are elementary particles in the universe. So efforts to impose lockstep ideas or behaviors belong not to any history of harmony but to the black record of oppression, be its idols and ideals secular or sacred. The carnage and wreckage left by attempts to cast humanity into a single mold still clutter the world in the broad wake of the Inquisition and Europe's religious wars. They scar living memory in the aftermath of the Holocaust, the Gulag, the Cultural Revolution, and the Cambodian killing fields.
Cost-effectiveness of routine radiochemical quality assurance testing of technetium Tc 99m radiopharmaceuticals.

The cost-effectiveness of performing routine radiochemical quality assurance (QA) testing of technetium Tc 99m radiopharmaceuticals was evaluated. Data were collected retrospectively on use and failures of radiopharmaceuticals over a 30-month period at a university hospital. Cost of quality assurance testing of the radiopharmaceuticals and cost of not performing this routine testing (e.g., repetition of invalid studies) were compared. Possible reasons for failure of radiopharmaceuticals to meet QA standards were examined. Based on these data and an informal survey of the incidence of failures at other nuclear pharmacies, expected radiopharmaceutical failure rates were calculated. The incidence of failures at the study institution was 0.56% (20 of 3775); the other nuclear pharmacies reported similar data. Based on these data, 6 failures per 1000 technetium Tc 99m radiopharmaceuticals prepared were predicted. "Low tin" kits (e.g., albumin aggregated) with low-specific-activity sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m were associated with failure to meet QA standards. Direct costs of QA testing were slightly less than direct costs associated with not testing; however, consideration of indirect costs confirmed the cost-effectiveness of QA testing. Routine radiochemical QA testing of technetium Tc 99m radiopharmaceuticals appears to be cost-effective.
Use of GC × GC/TOF-MS and LC/TOF-MS for metabolomic analysis of Hyalella azteca chronically exposed to atrazine and its primary metabolite, desethylatrazine.

Atrazine is one of the most commonly detected contaminants in the U.S. Little information is available on one of atrazine's metabolites, desethylatrazine (DEA). Two-dimensional gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with time of flight- mass spectrometry were used to examine metabolite profiles of Hyalella azteca chronically exposed to 30 µg/L atrazine and DEA. The majority of identified metabolites were by-products of β-oxidation of fatty acids suggesting possible disruption in energy metabolism. Eicosanoids increased in exposed females suggesting possible perturbations in neuropeptide hormonal systems. Overall, this research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing metabolomic profiling of invertebrate species exposed to environmental contaminants as a way to determine mechanisms of toxicity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonparametric estimation of the location of a maximum in a response surface

We explore a nonparametric version of response surface analysis. Estimates for the location where maximum response occurs are proposed and their asymptotic distribution is investigated. The proposed estimates are based on kernel and local least squares methods. We construct asymptotic confidence regions for the location and include comparisons with the quadratic response surface approach. The methods are illustrated for the two-dimensional case with AIDS incidence data, where the point of maximum incidence is of interest.
Clinical outcomes of zone II flexor tendon repair depending on mechanism of injury.

Purpose To determine whether mechanism of injury affects outcomes of Zone II flexor tendon repairs. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent Zone II flexor tendon repair between 2001 and 2010 with a minimum of 12-month follow-up. Exclusion criteria included fingers with fracture, pulley reconstruction, or flexor tendon bowstringing. The saw group injuries were from saws or from tearing mechanisms; the sharp group had clean transection injuries from knives or glass. At final evaluation, primary outcomes were total passive motion (TPM) and total active motion (TAM) at the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Secondary comparisons included strength, Disabilities of the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand (DASH) score, percentage of postoperative tendon rupture, and percentage of patients requiring secondary surgery. The saw group had 13 patients with 17 fingers studied. The sharp group had 21 patients with 24 fingers studied. All patients had primary flexor digitorum profundus repairs in Zone II. Operative records review confirmed for all but 1 patient that flexor digitorum profundus injuries were repaired with a minimum of a 4-strand core suture technique. In the saw group, 9 of 14 fingers with a 50% or greater laceration of flexor digitorum superficialis were repaired; in the sharp group, 15 of 18 such flexor digitorum superficialis injuries were repaired. Average follow-up was 4 years (range, 1–9 y). Results The saw group had significantly less TAM and TPM compared with the sharp group. There was no significant difference in DASH scores, strength measurements, or tendon rupture rates. The rate of secondary surgery was significantly higher in the saw group. Conclusions Tearing types of injury, such as those caused by saws, led to poorer outcomes for Zone II flexor tendon injuries compared with sharp injuries at an average follow-up of 4 years. Our results can be useful when discussing expected outcomes. Mechanism of injury in Zone II flexor tendon lacerations may eventually help define optimal treatment. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic III.
Defect and microstructural evolution in thermally cycled Cu through-silicon vias

Abstract In this study, the effect of thermal cycling on defect generation, microstructure, and RF signal integrity of blind Cu through-silicon vias (TSVs) were investigated. Three different thermal cycling profiles were used; each differentiated by their peak cycling temperature (100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C) and the time needed to complete one cycle (cycle time). The study was performed on two Cu TSV wafer sample types; one containing large processing-induced voids (voided sample), the other without (non-voided sample). It was found that the RF signal return loss |S 11 | of the Cu TSVs increased upon thermal cycling for both the voided and the non-voided sample types. This was attributed to the increase in the void area due to the formation of new voids, rather than the growth of preexisting voids. On the other hand, the grain orientation and grain sizes of the Cu TSVs were found to be unaffected by all studied thermal cycling conditions and sample types.
Induction of rat UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase activities by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine without induction of cytochrome P-450.

Abstract The effect of prolonged exposure to buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) on rat hepatic Phase I and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes has been examined. Exposure to 30 mM BSO in drinking water for 7 days induced hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity (detergent-activated) toward p -nitrophenol (250%), 1-naphthol (210%), morphine (130%) and testosterone (140%), but not estrone. Glucuronosyltransferase activities were also induced after exposure for as short as 3 and as long as 13 days. When rats were returned to unsupplemented drinking water for 1 day prior to sacrifice following 6 days on 30 mM BSO, comparable induction to that seen after 7 consecutive days on the BSO solution was observed despite liver glutathione concentration having rebounded to 127% of control. Daily ingestion of BSO was similar (1 mmol/rat/day) for all periods of 30 mM BSO-drinking water exposure, with a body weight-adjusted dose range of 3.2–6.3 mmol/kg/day. An analogous inductive response caused by drinking 30 mM BSO for 3 days was elicited for p -nitrophenol and morphine glucuronidation by 6 mmol/kg doses of BSO given as single daily intraperitoneal or intragastric injections for 3 days. Intraperitoneal, intragastric and all BSO-drinking water exposures also significantly induced (130–195%) cytosolic glutathione S -transferase activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Significant increases in UDP-glucuronosyltranferase and glutathione S -transerase activities were also observed following 3 days of exposure to BSO in the drinking water at a concentration as low as 5 mM. Cytosolic p -nitrophenol sulfotransferase activity, with one minor exception, was not enhanced by any BSO treatment regimen. Alterations in transferase activities were not accompanied by any major changes in either overall cytochrome P -450 concentration or oxidative reactions selective for two isozymes. Thus, in addition to its well-documented glutathione-depleting property, BSO also selectively induces several Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, and effect to be considered in studies employing extended BSO treatment.
A comparison of two display models for collaborative sensemaking

In this paper, we investigate how a distributed model of sensemaking, spread out over multiple displays and devices, impacts the sensemaking process for the individual and for the group, and whether it provides any feasible opportunities for improving the quality and efficiency of sensemaking efforts. Our study compares the use of two display models for collaborative visual analytics, one based on the model of the personal displays with shared visualization spaces and the other based on the distributed model whereby different displays can be appropriated as workspaces in a unified manner by collocated teams. Although the general sensemaking workflow did not change across the two types of systems, we observed that the system based on the distributed model enabled a more transparent interaction for collaborations, and allowed for greater 'objectification' of information. Our findings have significant implications for how future visual analytics systems can be designed to motivate effective collaborative sensemaking.
Special problems in evaluating the safety of concrete bridges and concrete bridge components

Abstract The safety and reliability of concrete bridges and bridges with concrete components depend on the ductility of reinforced and prestressed concrete, on the internal and external redundancy typical of concrete construction, and on concrete's demonstrated capacity to carry full design load while at the same time exhibiting severe cracking and the corrosion of embedded steel. These characteristics have formed the basis for effective and efficient inspection and evaluation procedures. Special attention may therefore be required when assessing the reliability of concrete bridges or bridge components whenever the design, configuration, material properties, or deterioration invalidates the underlying assumptions of ductility, redundancy, and the ability to carry load while severely cracked and deteriorated. It is recommended that bridge inspections and analyses begin with a review of these fundamental assumptions.
Optimal transmission expansion via intrinsic properties of power flow conditioning

In a period with the potential for major bulk power system transmission expansion in the U.S., many traditional transmission planning methodologies are proving insufficient to the task. The huge degree of uncertainty as to the types and geographic placement of significant new generation sources introduce tremendous scenario uncertainty into approaches that seek to optimize long time horizon production costs. Drawing on analogies to the network routing/congestion minimization problem in data networks, this work proposes a fundamentally new paradigm for optimal transmission expansion, focusing solely on properties of the transmission network itself. In particular, we adopt the condition number of the power flow Jacobian (or its dc approximation, the B susceptance matrix) as an intrinsic measure of the robustness of transmission network. Recent results regarding condition number optimization in symmetric matrices confirm that an efficient strategy should focus on successively increasing the smallest eigenvalue(s) of the bus susceptance matrix B. Exploiting the special graph-related eigenvalue/eigenvector structure of Laplacian matrices (such as B), this work will show that eigenvalue derivative techniques yield efficient heuristic algorithms for successively locating and sizing transmission addition(s) that significantly improve condition number of B. Two proposed heuristics are demonstrated on the IEEE 14 bus, 30 bus, 57 bus and 118 bus test systems.
Synthesis of an Oxazole–Pyrrole–Piperazine Scaffold as an α-Helix Mimetic

The synthesis of nonpeptidic α-helix mimetics based on a tricyclic oxazole–pyrrole–piperazine scaffold is described. The scaffold presents both a hydrophobic surface for recognition and a hydrophilic edge that enhances solubility. The synthesis is highly modular and allows the targeting of a range of protein–protein interactions involving α-helices. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Comparative study of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation analysis on cytology smears and surgical pathology specimens from primary and metastatic lung carcinomas

BACKGROUND The detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations on small biopsy or fine-needle aspiration samples is required to guide therapy in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, the authors compared results from EGFR mutation testing on both cytologic smears and surgical specimens and also compared the performance of platforms using 2 different technologies (pyrosequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction) for both specimen types. METHODS Specimens from 114 patients were divided into 2 subsets. The first subset had 60 paired cytology smears and surgical specimens, including 37 paired specimens from the same site and 23 paired specimens from different sites. The second subset consisted of nonpaired cytology smears and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues (including 8 cell blocks), which were compared on the pyrosequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction platforms. Laser-capture microscopy was used to enrich tumor in the FFPE specimens before DNA extraction. RESULTS All cytology smears that were used in the study were adequate for analysis on both platforms. Comparison between smears and concurrent FFPE tissues from the same anatomic site had a concordance rate of 97%. The concordance rate between the pyrosequencing platform and the real-time polymerase chain reaction platform was 84% and 85% for FFPE tissues and cytology smears, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The current results indicated that direct extraction and analysis of EGFR mutations from cytology smears can be performed successfully on both a pyrosequencing platform and a real-time polymerase chain reaction platform with results comparable to those achieved in matched surgical specimens. In fine-needle aspiration/endobronchial ultrasound samples with limited tissue, cytology smears can be important for molecular analysis. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:361–369. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
A Single Endotoxin Challenge Induces Delayed Myocardial Protection against Infarction

Sublethal endotoxemia attenuates cardiac functional injury from global ischemia but it is unknown whether endotoxemia can protect myocardium against infarction. Furthermore, increases in myocardial catalase and heat shock protein (HSP) following endotoxemia have been associated with cardiac ischemic protection. We therefore hypothesized that a 72-hr pretreatment with endotoxin (ETX) would reduce myocardial tissue necrosis in association with augmented catalase activity and stress protein expression. Rabbits were treated with normal saline or lipopolysaccharide (Salmonella typhimurium) at 10, 5, and 1 microgram/kg doses. Three days after saline or ETX injection they were subjected to 45 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 hr of reperfusion. Area of necrosis (tetrazolium staining) was normalized to anatomic risk zone size (Evans blue staining). Catalase activity was measured by a standard assay and HSP 72 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. During regional ischemia and reperfusion there were no differences in heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure between groups. ETX treated rabbits had the same risk zone size as controls. Infarct size was reduced in the ETX treated rabbits at the 10 and 5 microgram/kg doses compared with control rabbits (17.5 +/- 1.5% and 22.2 +/- 3.1% vs 45.3 +/- 2.5%; P 0.05 vs control). Catalase activity was not different between control and ETX (5 microgram/kg) treated groups (997.8 +/- 59.1 U/g vs 1099.6 +/- 69.3 U/g myocardium; P > 0.05) but endotoxin induced expression of myocardial HSP 72. We conclude that a single challenge with endotoxin can induce delayed myocardial protection against infarction in vivo. This delayed cardioprotective response involves enhanced stress protein expression without changes in myocellular catalase activity.
ATF-2 cooperates with Smad3 to mediate TGF-β effects on chondrocyte maturation

Abstract This study demonstrates that ATF-2 cooperates with Smad3 to regulate the rate of chondrocyte maturation in response to TGF-β. ATF-2 was rapidly phosphorylated in chick embryonic cephalic sternal chondrocytes following treatment with TGF-β, and the effect was dependent upon p38 kinase activity. Transient transfection of both wild-type ATF-2 or Smad3 activated the TGF-β-responsive reporter, p3TP-Lux, and synergistic effects were observed with ATF-2 and Smad3 coexpression. The effect of Smad3 and ATF-2 alone and in combination on chondrocyte maturation was examined in cultures simultaneously infected with RCAS viruses expressing different viral envelope proteins. When expressed alone, wild-type ATF-2 or Smad3 both inhibit colX expression and partially mimic the effects of exogenous TGF-β. However, in combination the effects were additive and similar to the inhibitory effects of TGF-β on colX expression. Loss of function experiments using dominant negative ATF-2 or Smad3 partially blocked the inhibitory effect of TGF-β on colX, while together the blockade was complete. Similar effects were observed with another TGF-β-responsive gene, PTHrP. However, the induction of colX by BMP-2 was not affected by overexpression of either wild-type or dominant negative ATF-2, indicating specificity for TGF-β signaling. In contrast, although TGF-β does not activate CRE/CREB signaling, dominant negative CREB enhanced colX expression in control and in TGF-β and BMP-2-treated cultures. Thus, ATF-2 regulates chondrocyte maturation as a direct target of TGF-β signaling while CREB regulates differentiation by targeting genes independent of the individual signaling effects of TGF-β or BMP-2.
Velocity Measurements Inside a Hemodialysis Graft In Vitro Model

Arteriovenous (AV) grafts, which provide an access site for hemodialysis, typically produce a high flow rate environment with pressure and velocity fluctuations; high and low wall shear stress, and vibration. Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) was performed at Reynolds number (Re) 1200 on an in vitro model, which was constructed from computerized tomography (CT) images of a perfusion fixed plastic cast of a canine venous anastomosis. The results obtained were compared to numerical results and to results previously obtained with idealized in vitro models. This study showed the importance of an accurate geometry in characterizing the flow environment inside an AV graft. Good agreement between the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and LDA was observed although differences were clearly present.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Relationship Between Test Methodology and Mean Velocity in Timed Walk Tests: A Review

Abstract Graham JE, Ostir GV, Kuo Y-F, Fisher SR, Ottenbacher KJ. Relationship between test methodology and mean velocity in timed walk tests: a review. Objective To assess the degree to which test methodology affects outcomes in clinical evaluations of walking speed. Data Sources Medline database and reference lists from relevant articles. Study Selection We conducted electronic searches by using various combinations of terms related to clinical evaluations of walking speed. Resultant abstracts were then reviewed, and the methods and results section of promising full-text articles were searched for detailed descriptions of walk-test methodologies and results. Ultimately, articles were limited to the most common participant groups, older adults (aged) and individuals with neurologic conditions (neuro). The final sample included 46 studies. Data Extraction Three aspects of test methodology (pace, starting protocol, distance timed) were extracted for use as independent variables. Group mean age was extracted for use as a covariate. Group mean velocity was extracted for use as the dependent variable. Data were extracted by a single investigator. Data Synthesis Usual and/or comfortable pace was reported nearly twice as often as fast pace in both groups. Static-start protocols were more frequently used in aged studies, whereas dynamic (ie, rolling) starts were more common in neuro studies. Distances of 6 and 10m were most common in aged and neuro studies, respectively. Multivariate analyses (analysis of covariance) showed that only pace was significantly related to the mean velocity in both groups (aged: pace, P P= .21; distance, P= .05; neuro: pace, P= .01; starting protocol, P= .63; distance, P= .49). However, methodology-related differences in the distribution (95% confidence intervals) of performance scores across certain clinical standards were noted within all 3 methodology variables. Conclusions Clinical assessments of walking velocity are not conducted uniformly. Common methodologic factors may influence the clinical interpretation of walk performances. Universal walk-test methodology is warranted to improve intergroup comparisons and the development of useful clinical criteria and consensus norms.
PROBLEMS OF GENERALIZING FROM SMALL SAMPLES: COMMENT ON LARDE AND CLOPTON

Problems inherent in generalizing from data based on a small number of subjects whose beliefs were measured when they were under considerable stress about their health, especially when scores for even one person are aberrant, limit sharply any possible challenge to theoretical commonality between two measures of locus of control.
Pruritis and palpable purpura from leeches in the Australian Rainforest

Leeches are prevalent in the Australian Rainforest. We report two cases of leech bites resulting in pruritis and palpable purpura. The dermatologic sequelae of leech bites, differential diagnosis of pruritic palpable purpura, leech bite treatment, prevention, and complications are reviewed.
Report of the Banbury Summit Meeting on the evolving role of the medical geneticist, February 12–14, 2006

In October 2004, a meeting was held at the Banbury Conference Center in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY to discuss the training of physicians in medical genetics. The goal of the meeting was to consider strategies to increase the number of medical genetics physician trainees. Several initiatives were proposed1 that have subsequently been the subject of further discussion and action (Table 1). One of the critical issues discussed at the 2004 meeting concerned the scope of medical genetics practice. Defining this would seem critical to attracting additional trainees, yet the issue is of sufficient complexity that it became clear that an additional meeting would be required to address it. Therefore, a follow-up meeting was organized and sponsored by the American College of Medical Genetics and took place at the Banbury Conference Center February 14 –16, 2006. The invited attendees (see Appendix) represented a breadth of perspectives and stakeholder constituencies. This document summarizes the major conclusions and recommendations from that meeting.
The cornerstone role of the torsion in Finslerian physical worlds

It is shown that there are no metric-compatible connections with zero torsion onproperly Finslerian, i.e. post-Riemannian, metrics. Since Finslerian connections exist on Riemannian metrics, the torsion rather than the metric becomes the object which determines whether the geometry is properly Finslerian or not. On the other hand, the solder forms and connection are determined by the torsion if the affine curvature is zero, the torsion then containing all the information about the geometric reality of spacetime. Since the metric curvature may still be Riemannian, the question arises of whether its present central role in spacetime physics is but a consequence of requiring that all the geometric content of spacetime be contained in the metric.
Experimental studies on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ECSTASY”) and its potential to damage brain serotonin neurons

A number of drugs that fall into the broad category of “ring-substituted amphetamines” have been found to be neurotoxic toward brain monoamine neurons in animals. Several of these drugs, including (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) and methamphetamine (“speed”) and fenfluramine (“Pondimin”) have been used or abused by humans. A growing body of evidence indicates that humans, like animals, are susceptible to substituted amphetamine-induced neurotoxic injury, and that consequences of this injury can be subtle. This article will review the effects of ring-substituted amphetamine analogs on brain monoamine neurons, using MDMA as the prototype. Studies documenting MDMA neurotoxic potential toward brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons in animals are summarized first. Human MDMA studies are then discussed, beginning with a consideration of methodological challenges in evaluating the status of 5-HT neurons in the living human brain. Recent findings indicating possible functional alterations in brain serotonergic systems in humans with a history of extensive MDMA exposure are then presented, including some new findings on sleep and personality in abstinent MDMA users.
Impact of metal electrodes on the figure of merit (k t 2 ·Q) and spurious modes of contour mode AlN resonators

This paper presents an experimental study on the impact of the metal electrodes on the level of the first spurious mode, electromechanical coupling (kt2) and quality factor (Q) of laterally vibrating AlN contour mode resonators (CMRs). Pt, Ni, and Al are selected for the fabrication of the device top electrode since they exhibit a broad range of values of Young's modulus, density and resistivity, which are the most relevant parameters that have an impact on the electromechanical characteristics of the device. The results on the level of the first spurious mode, and kt2 suggest that the acoustic mismatch between electrode and nonelectroded regions affect mostly these parameters. The extracted Q (after subtracting the effect of the electrode resistance) exhibits a trend in line with the theory of interfacial dissipation.
Metabolic inactivation of bleomycin analogs by bleomycin hydrolase.

La bleomycine est inactivee in vivo et in vitro par une enzyme appelee bleomycine hydrolase, et transformee en deaminobleomycine a activite biologique reduite. Les caracteristiques de cette enzyme (localisation tissulaire, poids moleculaire…) et ses parametres cinetiques, sont presentes
Does crater “saturation equilibrium” occur in the solar system?

The similarity in crater densities on the most heavily cratered surfaces throughout the solar system is statistically examined and discussed in terms of a 'saturation equilibrium' being achieved by cratering processes. This hypothesis accounts for (1) the similarity in maximum relative crater density, below certain theoretically predicted values, on all heavily cratered surfaces; (2) a levelling off at this same relative density among 100-m scale craters in populations on lunar maria and other sparsely cratered lunar surfaces; and (3) the approximate uniformity of maximum relative densities on Saturn satellites. The lunar frontside upland crater population, sometimes described as a well-preserved production function useful for interpreting other planetary surfaces, is found not to be a production function. It was modified by intercrater plains at least partly formed by early upland basaltic lava flooding.
Taxometric methods and the classification and comorbidity of mental disorders: Methodological and conceptual considerations.

Taxometric methods have become increasingly popular in research on the structure of psychopathology. The majority of this research has entailed study of a single psychopathological construct that differentiates a conjectured taxon group (e.g., persons with the target disorder or vulnerability) from a complement group (e.g., normal controls, persons with disorders other than the target condition). Although indicator and sample selection are important in these endeavors, these issues are more critical to the extension of taxometrics to the study of comorbidity (simultaneous taxometric evaluation of multiple psychopathological constructs). Selected methodological and conceptual issues in the application of taxometrics to the understanding of comorbidity are discussed, as well as the implications of taxometric and comorbidity research on the categorical versus dimensional classification of mental disorders.
Clinical and patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials of abatacept in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation, which if left untreated leads to progressive disability and joint destruction. A combination of antiinflammatory agents, steroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and biological agents are used to treat RA. Beyond the use of conventional measures of disease activity, such as American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response rates, the importance of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in assessing therapeutic benefits is gaining increasing emphasis in clinical trials of RA and other chronic illnesses. Clinical trials testing new RA therapeutics generally include health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures and assessments of function and disability. Abatacept, a costimulation modulator that selectively targets the activation of T cells and downregulates the immune response, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of RA, with or without methotrexate. Objective: The aim of this review was to summarize the clinical outcomes and PROs in published trials of abatacept. Methods: A literature search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and BIOSIS databases (restricted to articles posted between January 2000 and September 2007) with the search terms CTLA-4Ig, abatacept , and Orencia to identify published trials of abatacept. Primary clinical trial publications in patients with RA were selected. The ACR response and PROs data presented in the identified publications are summarized in this review. Results: Our search identified 6 studies that met our selection criteria, which included 1 Phase IIa study, 2 Phase IIb studies, and 3 Phase III studies. The Phase IIa study found that abatacept was more effective than placebo and that physical function improved in treated patients compared with placebo. The 2 Phase IIb studies in 339 patients with RA previously treated with methotrexate found statistically significant improvements in HRQoL with abatacept at 6 months and 1 year. Similar findings were noted in the published Phase III trials. Across clinical trials, abatacept has been associated with clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in conventional measures of disease activity, HRQoL, and physical function. Conclusions: These 6 published trials found that abatacept was associated with significant improvements in both conventional measures of disease activity and PROs. Continued assessment of these outcomes will be required to further support the findings of the Phase II and III abatacept clinical trial literature reviewed here.
The influence of body-size and diet on road-kill trends in mammals

Roads negatively impact animals in a variety of ways. One of the most obvious impacts is vehicle-induced mortality. We have little understanding of the patterns and rates of road mortality for mammals. The aims of this study were to determine representative road-kill rates for local mammal species, compare road-kill rates between mammals of different sizes and diets, and compare patterns of road mortality between seasons. We hypothesized that carnivores would be killed less often than herbivores or omnivores and that medium sized mammals (1.0-10.0 kg) would be killed more often than expected based on their frequency in the area. At least 50% of the mammal species in the study area were impacted by road mortality, representing 21 species from 5 mammalian orders. Carnivores were found less often and medium-sized mammals more often than predicted. Porcupines (Erithizon dorsatum), raccoons (Procyon lotor), cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were the most frequent species to be killed. On average, 3.8 mammals were killed per 100 km of road. The road-kill rate varied between seasons and species and peaked in mid June. We also looked across studies to determine general rates of vehicle-induced mortality for mammals and found that an average of 8.8 mammals are killed per 100 km. Given the rapid decline of many mammal species and the consistent increase in vehicle miles traveled, efforts to preserve roadless areas and develop strategies to mitigate the effects of roads on mammals are warranted.
A three-dimensional, physically based compact model for IC VDMOS transistors

Abstract A three-dimensional VDMOS model has been derived and implemented in SPICE. The model was developed and characterized for the square cell, rectangular grid device layout for Motorola's SmarTMOS ™ technologies. The model includes physical models for R DSon over gate voltage, temperature and cell number. It also includes accurate, scalable models for the gate-charge, including the voltage-varying gate-drain capacitance and the distributed effects of the buried layer and interconnect metal resistances on the total on-resistance of the device. This allows efficient and accurate modeling of typical VDMOS layouts.
Adrenal steroid type I and type II receptor binding: estimates of in vivo receptor number, occupancy, and activation with varying level of steroid.

Abstract Adrenal steroid (AS) receptors differ from other steroid receptors in the inability of the activated form of the cytosolic receptor to exchange ligand in an in vitro binding assay. We extended this finding by demonstrating that AS receptors extracted from isolated brain nuclei also failed to exchange ligand. Taking advantage of this unique feature of AS receptors, we measured type I and type II AS binding level in rats with varying amounts of endogenous glucocorticoids or exogenous dexamethasone (DEX). We estimated the degree of receptor occupation/ activation in various brain areas and the pituitary during basal glucocorticoid conditions and after acute stress. There was a variable proportion of type I receptors in the hippocampus which were unactivated during basal conditions (0–35%). The proportion of unactivated type I receptors increase (55–65%) after DEX treatment. The hippocampus was especially sensitive to the ability of low basal corticosterone (CORT) levels to activate both type I and type II receptors, whereas the pituitary was very insensitive, evidenced by a failure of acute stress levels of endogenous glucocorticoids to occupy/activate type II receptors in the pituitary. Comparison of estimates of the degree of in vivo hippocampal type I and type II receptor activation for the various treatment groups with estimates of in vitro type I and type II receptor occupation by steroid suggested that DEX was more efficient than CORT in producing or maintaining the activated form of the type II receptor in vivo, whereas CORT was more efficient than DEX in activating the type I receptor. These studies suggest that AS receptors in the brain, and especially the hippocampus, are more sensitive to circulating levels of glucocorticoids than the pituitary. There also may be a greater capacity for physiological variations in type I receptor occupation in vivo than had previously been suggested. Finally, discrepancies between CORT and DEX affinity in vitro for type I and type II sites and their in vivo potency may be accounted for by differences in the ability of these compounds to activate type I and type II AS receptors.