cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Anemia in Children and Adults

Anemia is one of the most common hematologic findings in children and adults. It is a condition that represents the end result of a diverse array of different inherited or acquired pathophysiologic processes. A thoughtful diagnostic approach to anemia can expediently lead to an understanding of its cause and avoids unnecessary laboratory testing. Across the age spectrum, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional cause of anemia, although its etiology tends to differ in children and adults. Other causes of anemia are quite diverse.
Estimation of component concentrations in biological systems via Interval Analysis

The estimation of state variables and parameters is an important and necessary step when modeling biological systems. Uncertainty has to be included to obtain results that are consistent with the true dynamics of the system. Classically, the estimation problem with uncertainty was addressed by methods such as the Kalman filter. In biological systems however, the probabilistic information about uncertainties is unknown, and bounded error estimation algorithms are better suited. The latter consider bounded uncertainties to produce results that are consistent with these uncertainties. These methods have been applied to a multitude of areas. To our knowledge, they have not been specifically developed to address the issues associated with state and parameter estimation of biological systems. The purpose of this work has been to generate an estimation algorithm that improves the amount of uncertainty that traditional methods can handle in scenarios typically encountered in biological systems. In those scenarios, knowledge about the system through measurements is rather small. The developed method is based on Interval Analysis. We present in this paper the developed method, followed by the results of applying it to a biological pathway. A comparison of our results with those from different methods are also presented.
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) Regulates CXCL12-Induced Adhesion to VCAM1 during B Cell Development.

CXCL12 (SDF-1) induces prolonged FAK phosphorylation in bone marrow (BM) progenitor B cells, but only induces transient FAK phosphorylation in peripheral B cells. In addition, FAK signaling is tightly correlated with CXCL12-induced adhesion to VCAM-1. Given that the CXCR4 receptor expression is similar at all B cell stages, we hypothesized that progenitor and mature B cells possess different mechanisms to control FAK phosphorylation. Here we demonstrate that SOCS3 regulates CXCL12-induced FAK signaling through the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. First we show that CXCL12 triggers increased FAK ubiquitination in human peripheral B cells and mouse spleen B cells, but not in human and mouse BM B cells. In accordance with this finding, SOCS3 expression is relatively low in progenitor BM B cells and high in peripheral blood and splenic B cells. Through over-expression of SOCS3 in the progenitor B cell line, REH, we demonstrate that SOCS3 co-associates with FAK following CXCL12 stimulation. Moreover, over-expression of SOCS3 results in decreased FAK phosphorylation (intensity and duration), and impaired CXCL12- induced chemotaxis and adhesion to VCAM1. Next, we isolated splenic B cells from MMTV-Cre SOCS3 fl/fl mice and found that SOCS3 deficient mature B cells have increased and prolonged FAK phosphorylation and also show enhanced chemotaxis and sustained adhesion to VCAM-1, similar to progenitor B cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that MMTV-Cre SOCS3 fl/fl mice have an increased number of IgM+, Ig D-, mature B cells in the BM compared to wild type mice. Taken together, our results suggest that regulation of FAK signaling through SOCS3 may be important for B cell maturation in the BM and for the egress of mature B cells into the circulation.
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis and Autoimmunity

Publisher Summary Endothelium plays a fundamental role in various physiologic functions, including vasoregulation, hemostasis, inflammation, and adhesion biology. Irrespective of the nature of the stimuli (immunogenic or direct mechanical forces), the endothelium responds by up-regulating adhesion molecules and recruiting leukocytes, shifting the phenotype to procoagulant by expressing tissue factor (TF), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and/or altering vascular tone. Endothelial cells line the lumen of all blood vessels and form the interface between the blood and peripheral tissues. The role of endothelial cells was considered to be that of a gatekeeper. Passive deposition of cholesterol and its metabolites in the artery wall has been thought to be the key step in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. In recent years attention has shifted to the role of primary vascular injury. Although many factors cause atherosclerosis, it has become clear that endothelial cell perturbation and inflammation at the site of vascular injury plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic disease.
Evaluating the Character of People Who Insult the Nation: Implications for Immigrant Integration

We examine immigrant integration by analyzing how natives evaluate immigrants' character. Most literature examines how natives distinguish between immigrants with different levels of assimilation, which is best suited to identifying integration boundaries between different types of immigrants. We shift the analysis and examine the boundary between immigrants and natives, which measures integration by the extent to which immigrant status is relevant for character evaluations. We compare how natives respond to national insults that come from immigrants as opposed to natives. We focus on insulting the nation because it highlights the salience of national identity and clarifies the importance of group boundaries. We measure responses to national insults with vignette experiments from three original surveys in the United States. Our results are consistent with situationist theories of interpersonal interactions because they suggest that character evaluations are more dependent on the situational distinction between people who do and do not insult the nation than the demographic distinction between whether the insult comes from a native or immigrant. These findings have multiple implications for our understanding of national identity, immigrant integration, and immigrant-native boundaries.
Inpatient care use among Californian patients with cancer in the year after diagnosis.

235Background: Inpatient care use is the chief driver of regional spending variation among some cancer patients and contributes more to cancer-related healthcare spending than does any other service category– including costly chemotherapy drugs. However, few studies are available to describe population rates of and reasons for hospitalization. Methods: California Cancer Registry (CCR) data linked with administrative claims data were used to quantify and describe inpatient care use among individuals diagnosed with cancer in California between 2009-2012 (n = 412, 850). Multistate models were used to estimate age-adjusted hospitalization rates, accounting for survival. Characteristics of hospitalizations were described and tabulated, including reasons for admission, procedures, and emergency department (ED) origin. Results: Among individuals with cancer, 62% had at least one hospitalization in the year after diagnosis, nearly half of which originated in the ED (45%). Among individuals with late stage cancers...
The effect analysis of the morphing concept on the small swept flying wings

The UAV manoeuvrability when classical control surfaces are used is limited. At present, the research focuses on the biological implications regarding total, partial or local morphing changes which might enable better trajectory control. The current paper shows an application of the flying wings with elements of twist morphing at plane edges meant to reveal a global optimum area of turning features, by use of theoretical and numerical methods.
Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules by Using Comb-push Ultrasound Shear Elastography: A Preliminary Two-plane View Study.

Rationale and Objectives Low specificity of traditional ultrasound in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules leads to a great number of unnecessary (ie, benign) fine-needle aspiration biopsies that causes a significant financial and physical burden to the patients. Ultrasound shear wave elastography is a technology capable of providing additional information related to the stiffness of tissues. In this study, quantitative stiffness values acquired by ultrasound shear wave elastography in two different imaging planes were evaluated for the prediction of malignancy in thyroid nodules. In addition, the association of elasticity measurements with sonographic characteristics of thyroid gland and nodules is presented. Materials and Methods A total number of 155 patients (106 female and 49 male) (average age 57.48 ± 14.44 years) with 173 thyroid nodules (average size 24.89 ± 15.41 mm, range 5–68 mm) scheduled for fine-needle aspiration biopsy were recruited from March 2015 to May 2017. Comb-push shear elastography imaging was performed at longitudinal and transverse anatomic planes. Mean (Emean) and maximum (Emax) elasticity values were obtained. Results Measurements at longitudinal view were statistically significantly higher than measurements at transverse view. Nodules with calcifications were associated with increased elasticity, and nodules with a vascular component or within an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) were associated with a lower elasticity value. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for Emean and Emax at each imaging plane and for the average of both planes. Sensitivity of 95.45%, specificity of 86.61%, 0.58 positive predictive value, and 0.99 negative predictive value were achieved by the average of the two planes for each Emean and Emax parameters, with area under the curve of 92% and 93%, and a cutoff value of 49.09 kPa and 105.61 kPa, respectively. Conclusions The elastic properties of thyroid nodules showed promise to be a good discriminator between malignant and benign nodules (P
At the Intersection of South and South: Case of Sino-Algerian Relations

Trade between Algeria and China has soared to more than 7 billion dollars in ten years with oil and gas being the largest exports to China. Meanwhile Chinese companies including the China State Construction Engineering Corporation are among the biggest beneficiaries of the Algerian construction industry. Chinese investors have migrated to Algeria in large numbers and now represent the largest foreign population in the country.This paper explores the state of the formal and informal sectors of Chinese presence in Algeria. It raises questions regarding the impact of the giant construction companies on the local economy on one hand, and on the local informal sector vis-a-vis the Chinese community that is not associated with drilling or construction corporations anymore but more with small-scale companies or private businesses. As such, this paper investigates the reactions of local business owners, government officials, intellectuals, as well as regular citizens to the increase of Chinese presence in Algeria in order to get an understanding of the state of Sino-Algerian relations at the local level.
A New Data Sieving Approach for High Performance I/O

Many scientific computing applications and engineering simulations exhibit noncontiguous I/O access patterns. Data sieving is an important technique to improve the performance of noncontiguous I/O accesses by combining small and noncontiguous requests into a large and contiguous request. It has been proven effective even though more data is potentially accessed than demanded. In this study, we propose a new data sieving approach namely Performance Model Directed Data Sieving, or PMD data sieving in short. It improves the existing data sieving approach from two aspects: (1) dynamically determines when it is beneficial to perform data sieving; and (2) dynamically determines how to perform data sieving if beneficial. It improves the performance of the existing data sieving approach and reduces the memory consumption as verified by experimental results. Given the importance of supporting noncontiguous accesses effectively and reducing the memory pressure in a large-scale system, the proposed PMD data sieving approach in this research holds a promise and will have an impact on high performance I/O systems.
Cellular Bioimaging in Fluorescent Cancer Biomarker Evaluation: Validation, Technologies and Standards Development

Here we summarize the approach to analytical validation of cellular cancer biomarkers visualized and quantified by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical fluorescence methods. The value of cellular cancer biomarker analytes and the role of analysis of cellular heterogeneity is emphasized for FISH and fluorescence immunohistochemistry (IHC). Finally, the timing of cancer cell biomarker standards in the development of screening assays is discussed in light of our experience developing DNA probes and IgY avian antibodies for analysis of prostate cancer gene fusions and quantitative screening of the enzyme telomerase.
Detection and Hemodynamic Evaluation of Flap Fenestrations in Type B Aortic Dissection with 4D Flow MRI: Comparison with Conventional MRI and CT Angiography

4D flow MRI depicts small type B aortic dissection flap fenestrations and enables additional hemodynamic characterization of flow between true and false lumens at fenestration sites relative to CT ...
Effect of extrusion on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine, nitrogen, and energy in diets for young pigs.

Forty crossbred barrows (initial average BW of 20 kg) were fitted with T-cannulas in the distal ileum to determine the effects of extrusion of soybean meal on the apparent ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine, N, and GE. A basal corn-soybean meal diet was formulated to contain .525% lysine. Nonextruded soybean meal (SM), extruded soybean meal (ESM), and L-lysine.HCl (LLH) replaced cornstarch in the basal diet to make diets containing .60, .675, and .75% total dietary lysine for each lysine source. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 3 factorial with the basal diet as an additional treatment. Ileal and fecal digestibilities of lysine were not affected (P greater than .05) by source of lysine. However, linear increases (P less than .05) occurred in ileal lysine digestibilities with increasing concentrations of dietary lysine provided as LLH, but not when lysine was provided as SM or ESM. Apparent ileal and fecal retention of N as percentages of N absorbed or consumed were greater (P less than .05) for diets containing LLH than for diets containing SM, and diets containing ESM were intermediate. Linear increases (P less than .05) occurred in ileal and fecal N retained as percentages of N absorbed or consumed with increasing concentration of dietary lysine provided as LLH or ESM, but not when provided as SM. Fecal DE and ME (kilocalories per gram of diet) for diets containing LLH and ESM were similar and greater (P less than .05) than the values obtained for diets containing SM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Preparing Severely Handicapped Youth for Less Restrictive Environments.

In order to facilitate community integration of severely and profoundly handicapped (SPH) youth, community-based training is of vital importance. Numerous reasons exist for using a classroom-community model, including: skill generalization, reinforcer sampling, awareness by nonhandicapped people, appropriate role models in the community, elevated teacher expectations, parent expectations, demonstrations of competence by SPH students, and facilitating curriculum selection. These areas will be explored as well as techniques for programming outside the classroom, such as peer tutoring, use of natural homes and local workshops for instruction, and use of nearby local community facilities. Finally, problems inherent in a community-based training model are discussed as well strategies to overcome them.
Understanding the dynamics and structure of epigenetic states with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy

Abstract Epigenetic modifications play an important role in regulating gene expression among a host of other factors during cell development. The plasticity of epigenetic modifications has the potential to direct a cell in relation to environmental factors to its destined state. Therefore, understanding different epigenetic states is crucial for dissecting the gene regulatory mechanisms. With the recent advances in single-molecule tools, monitoring the dynamics of epigenetic regulation and quantification has become possible. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in single-molecule fluorescence tools in gaining new insights into the epigenetic regulation and its relation to chromatin conformation.
RACIAL DISPARITIES IN INVASIVE MANAGEMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: INSIGHTS FROM THE CHEST-PAIN MI REGISTRY

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can deter consideration of invasive management for MI patients. Whether racial disparities remain in the use of invasive MI management for CKD patients presenting with MI is unknown. We examined 703,278 MI patients at 914 U.S. hospitals from 2008-2017 in the NCDR Chest-
A Markov Transition Model for Estimating the Impact of Pediatric Asthma Medication Adherence on Healthcare Utilization and Cost

Research Objective Medication adherence, measured by the asthma medication ratio (AMR), has been shown to be a reliable predictor of exacerbations among asthmatic children. We constructed a Markov model examining the effects of optimal vs suboptimal control using a 3‐month rolling AMR on severe exacerbations resulting in an emergency department (ED) visit or inpatient (IP) admission.
COVID-19 and Cognitive Impairment: Severity, Evolution, and Functional Impact during Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract Objective To determine the frequency, magnitude, and change in cognitive impairment in patients with COVID-19 undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation. We secondarily evaluated correlates of cognitive impairment and the relationship between cognition and functional gain. Design Cross-sectional observational study with assessments at admission and discharge Setting Acute inpatient rehabilitation unit within a large, urban academic medical center Participants 77 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and subsequently admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit between March-August 2020, 45 of whom were re-assessed at discharge. Interventions N/A Main Outcome Measures Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores on admission and discharge (when available) and Quality Indicator for Self-Care (QI-SC) scores on admission and discharge. Results 62/77 (80.5%) of patients demonstrated cognitive deficits on the MoCA at admission: 39/77 (50.6%) were mildly impaired, 20/77 (26%) moderately impaired, and 3/77 (3.9%) severely impaired. Cognitive impairment was associated with a prior history of delirium, but not age or length of acute care hospitalization. 32/45 (71.1%) patients with discharge scores improved and met the MoCA minimally clinically important difference (MCID); however, 35/45 (77.8%) continued to score in the impaired range. Patients who met the MoCA MCID demonstrated significantly greater QI-SC score gains than those that did not meet the MCID (p=.02). Conclusion Cognitive impairment is common among hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring acute inpatient rehabilitation. Cognitive impairment improves over the course of inpatient rehabilitation, and is associated with functional gain. Nonetheless, cognitive deficits frequently remain present at discharge, indicating the need for systematic assessment and follow-up, especially given the association with functional outcome.
Tranexamic acid in patients with current or former cancer undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty

Background and objectives While tranexamic acid (TXA) is an excellent mechanism to reduce blood loss in arthroplasty, its safety in cancer patients-who could potentially benefit the most from blood conservation-is unknown. Methods A multicenter, retrospective review of current or former cancer patients undergoing hip/knee arthroplasty from 2014 to 2019 was performed. The use of intravenous TXA, indication (oncologic/degenerative), cancer state, cancer type, surgical factors, demographics, and comorbidities were collected. The association between TXA use and 90-day/1-year complications was analyzed with multivariable logistic regressions. Results We identified 282 patients with current (87.9%) or former (12.1%) malignancies undergoing arthroplasty (73.0% oncologic/27.0% degenerative). About 74 (26.2%) patients received TXA (52.7% had oncologic indications, 74.3% had active cancer). In adjusted analysis, TXA was not associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism within 90-days (odds ratio [OR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-2.16, p = 0.43) or 1-year (OR 0.47; 95%CI 0.15-1.44, p = 0.19), with a trend towards lower risk. Similar results were seen for mortality and wound complications, and when stratifying by indication. Conclusion TXA was not associated with increased complications in current or former cancer patients undergoing arthroplasty. Future randomized studies of TXA in arthroplasty should include cancer patients; in the interim, clinicians should weigh the theoretical risks of TXA with the known benefits of reduced blood loss in oncology patients.
Paradoxes and mysteries in virus-infected supply chains: Hidden bottlenecks, changing consumer behaviors, and other non-usual suspects

Abstract In the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., consumers experienced surprising shortages of essential goods such as toilet paper, yeast and flour, and some of their favorite meat cuts that appeared to be unrelated to the pandemic at first look. The “usual” explanations attributing these shortages to “demand spikes” (e.g., foreign suppliers, trade wars and tariffs, and “hoarding behavior” of panicked consumers) often failed to explain them, and in the best of cases, predicted only temporary shortages. However, shortages in these supply chains ended up being in many cases real “supply chain struggles,” with their true causes going beyond the “usual” ones, and revealing a set of deeper and “unusual causes.” Our detailed analysis of the affected supply chains identifies these overlooked failure factors and hidden causes. Our underestimated causes include demand shifts among market segments, siloed demand planning, bottlenecks in shared resources such as transportation and distribution, and supply chain structures driven by the economics of an efficiency era that failed in a risk-fraught environment. We conclude on the profound lessons learned from the pandemic crisis on supply chains, and the implied challenges to address for building resilient supply chains for the future. The resilient supply chains of the future require rethinking the relevant “systems” we plan and optimize (e.g., firm, industry, region, global factor resources, etc.). The usual answer of building firm-specific redundancy of assets and operational flexibility might be prohibitive in the level of investment required for any one firm, or their financial stakeholders, to pursue and accept.
Enhanced limonene production in a fast-growing cyanobacterium through combinatorial metabolic engineering

Abstract Terpenoids are a large and diverse group of natural products with commercial applications. Microbial production of terpenes is considered as a feasible approach for the stable supply of these complex hydrocarbons. Cyanobacteria, photosynthetic prokaryotes, are attractive hosts for sustainable bioproduction, because these autotrophs require only light and CO2 for growth. Despite cyanobacteria having been engineered to produce a variety of compounds, their productivities of terpenes are generally low. Further research is needed to determine the bottleneck reactions for enhancing terpene production in cyanobacteria. In this study, we engineered the fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 to produce a commercially-used terpenoid, limonene. We identified a beneficial mutation in the gene encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase crtE, leading to a 2.5-fold increase in limonene production. The engineered strain produced 16.4 ​mg ​L−1 of limonene at a rate of 8.2 ​mg ​L−1 day−1, which is 8-fold higher than limonene productivities previously reported in other cyanobacterial species. Furthermore, we employed a combinatorial metabolic engineering approach to optimize genes involved in the upstream pathway of limonene biosynthesis. By modulating the expression of genes encoding the enzymes in the MEP pathway and the geranyl pyrophosphate synthase, we showed that optimization of the expression level is critical to enhance limonene production in cyanobacteria.
Prologue—The Roots of Soil Science

This first chapter reviews how soils were viewed and researched in the 1700s and 1800s. Two lines of soil studies are reviewed: the search for the soil matter that makes plants grow and the formation and genetics of soil. Eventually, these lines intersected and then paralleled in a direction that became the discipline of soil science. Particular attention is given to early travelers in the USA, the linkages between Europe and the USA, pedology studies in Europe, and the rise of agricultural chemistry and geology in the USA with the works of Samuel Johnson and Eugene Hilgard.
"Moving Forward": Older Adult Motivations for Group-Based Physical Activity After Cancer Treatment.

Engagement in physical activity (PA) post-treatment can improve health outcomes and quality of life among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to explore United States (US) older adult cancer survivors’ (OACS) reasons for engaging in group-based PA classes, to identify themes supporting exercise motivations in the context of cancer recovery. OACS participating in a fitness program at a large US comprehensive cancer center completed semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using modified grounded theory, and demographic data were analyzed descriptively. Modified grounded theory analysis (n = 25; age M = 70.92, SD = 10.82; 9 cancer types) identified individual rationales for exercise grounded in collective experience. Participants’ internal motivations for PA are shaped by the desire for control over an uncertain future and post-treatment body, obtained by literally “moving forward” post-cancer; this is supported by external motivations for social connections that present a positive model of survivorship, within a setting that instills confidence and safety. Exercise can be a way for older adults to tap into internal and external motivations that support cancer survivorship. Interventions that make explicit connections between exercise and cancer recovery, facilitate interpersonal interaction, and promote a sense of safety may be the most effective. The concepts identified in this study can inform the development of future interventions to improve long-term behavior change among OACS and evaluate existing PA programs.
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF PELAGIC FISH IN LAKE POWELL, UTAH, AND LAKE MEAD, ARIZONA-NEVADA

Pelagic fish communities (waters with depths > 20 m) of Lakes Powell and Mead were examined quarterly from 1995 to1998 using vertical gill nets and a scientific echosounder. Nets captured a total of 449 fish consisting of striped bass (57%/45% [Lake Powell/Lake Mead]), threadfin shad (24%/50%), common carp (15%/4%), walleye (3%), channel catfish (2%), and rainbow trout ( -1 ). Reservoirs experienced dramatic seasonal and annual fluctuations in pelagic biomass. Lake Powell's biomass peaked at the Colorado River at 709.7 (± 46.5) kg · ha -1 and Lake Mead's reached 291.9 (± 58.2) kg · ha -1 at Las Vegas Wash. These locations supported estimated fish densities of 124,668 fish · ha -1 and 15,131 fish · ha -1 , respectively. Maximum reservoir biomass peaked in August 1996, with Lake Powell supporting 10,852,738 ± 5,195,556 kg (27.6 × 10 7 fish) and Lake Mead 1,926,697 ± 892.994 kg (10.8 × 10 7 fish). Biomass ebbed in May (1996 and 1997), when Lake Mead supported 65% (296,736 kg vs. 453,097 kg) and 62% (101,016 kg vs. 162,262 kg) of biomass levels found in Lake Powell.
Glucocorticoids and insulin both modulate caloric intake through actions on the brain

Glucocorticoids act primarily in a feed-forward fashion on brain to activate CNS pathways that implement wanting appropriate to physiological needs. Thus, depending on the available conditions, elevated glucocorticoids may augment the behavioural want to run, fight or feed. Although glucocorticoids stimulate intake of chow, fat and sucrose, insulin appears to sculpt calorie-associated desires toward foods high in fat, acting through hepatic branch afferents of the vagus nerve. Both conditions of reduced food allowance and chronic stress excite glucocorticoid-augmented central neural networks that may lead toward ultimate abdominal obesity.
An Evaluation of the Nutritive Value of New High Protein Oat Varieties (Cultivars)

Studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of new high protein oat varieties using chicks and rats. Oat groats studied were Lodi, Dal, and Goodland; protein contents were 16.0, 18.0, and 20.5%, respectively. Increases in protein content were accompanied with an increase in indispensable amino acids. The lysine contents of Lodi and Goodland oat groats were 0.60 and 0.72%, respectively. With amino acid supplementation the 80% oat groats diets supported a growth rate of chicks comparable with that of a practical diet for up to 2 weeks. To correct amino acid deficiency, Goodland, Dal, and Lodi oat groats diets were supplemented with 0.55, 0.60, and 0.65% lysine and 3.2, 5.1, and 6.6% of a mixture of other amino acids. Omission of lysine from the amino acid supplement resulted in retarded growth and marked reduction of plasma free lysine concentration. For Goodland oat groats, the chemical score was 51. Protein efficiency ratio with rats was 2.2, which was increased to 2.4 by lysine and methionine supplementation, while protein efficiency ratio for whole egg protein was 3.4. The slope-ratio assay rendered a relative nutritive value of 59 for Goodland oat groats, assuming 100 for whole egg protein. This value was increased to 67 by lysine and methionine supplementation.
Layered neural networks with horizontal connections can reduce the number of units

We define layered networks with horizontal connections as networks having units that receive inputs from the lower layer and also from the previous units of the same layer. We show that architecture with horizontal connections does not require as many units in the hidden layers as the plain layered architecture in order to approximate a function. >
Facial Contouring in the Postbariatric Surgery Patient

Morbid obesity is a rising epidemic with 1.7 billion people considered overweight [1]. Approximately two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight and half are obese [2]. In 1991, the National Institute of Health established guidelines for what has now become known as bariatric surgery for the morbidly obese patient (BMI > 40 or BMI > 35 with significant comorbidities). According to a recent meta-analysis, patients who undergo bariatric surgery lose 61.6% of their actual excess body weight and a majority of patients with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea experience complete resolution or improvement of these comorbidities [3]. Despite the drastic improvement in health, two-thirds of massive-weight loss patients are unhappy with their appearance secondary to copious sagging skin [4]. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 47% of these (roughly 150,000) patients underwent body contouring procedures in 2007 after significant postsurgery weight loss [5].
Using CavePainting to Create Scientific Visualizations

We present an application of a virtual reality (VR) tool to the problem of creating scientific visualizations in VR. Our tool allows a designer to prototype a visualization prior to implementation. The system evolved from CavePainting [Keefe et al. 2001], which allows artists to draw in VR. We introduce the concept of using an interactive legend to link a visualization design to the visualization data. As opposed to existing methods of visualization design, our method enables the researcher to quickly experiment with multiple visualization designs without having to code each one. We applied this system to the visualization of coronary artery flow data.
Copper NMR and Thermodynamics of UCu 5 − x Pd x : Evidence for Kondo Disorder

Strong inhomogeneous broadening of the copper NMR line in ${\mathrm{UCu}}_{5\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{x}$, $x\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1.0$ and 1.5, indicates that spin susceptibility disorder contributes to the non-Fermi-liquid behavior of these alloys. A simple phenomenological model with a distribution of Kondo temperatures fits the field and the temperature dependence of the susceptibility, and then describes the copper NMR linewidth semiquantitatively with no further adjustable parameters. The temperature and the field dependence of the specific heat also agree well with the model.
Synthesis and biological activity of isoprenoid bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates have been used in the clinic to treat osteoporosis and to reduce bone resorption and the accompanying pathological bone fractures that attend a number of malignancies including multiple myeloma and cancers of the prostate, breast, and lung. There is also evidence that some bisphosphonates have direct anticancer activity. Expansion of the current class of bisphosphonates may lead to compounds that more selectively and potently target these cancers through inhibition of the mevalonate pathway. To this end, a set of dialkyl bisphosphonates bearing isoprenoid chains of varying lengths has been synthesized. Some of these compounds were found to have biological activity on post-translational processing of the oncogenic small GTPases, Ras and Rap1a, in human-derived K562 leukemia cells. Most importantly, these compounds impair protein geranylgeranylation and not protein farnesylation.
A multidisciplinary team treatment for patients with anorexia nervosa and their families

This paper describes a multidisciplinary team treatment for acute and chronically ill patients with anorexia nervosa (including low-weight bulimics) and for their families. A six-year experience with 90 patients is involved in this sample. The treatment team consists of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and members of other disciplines. The stages of treatment are: nutritional rehabilitation personalized psychotherapy, return of controls to patients, and follow-up. The population treated includes many chronically ill patients: 63% have been previously hospitalized; the average age at admission was 23 years; 30% have been ill more than four years. On long-term follow-up, 55% are in a normal weight range, 3% are obese, and 41% are below 85% Ideal Body Weight. Many patients continue to have difficulty socializing and have a fear of fatness. The probability of return of menses increases with restoration of normal body weight. A large percentage maintain full-time schooling or employment despite continued symptoms of illness. Long-term improvement has been maintained by many patients to varying degrees.
Crystallization and unusual rheological behavior in poly(ethylene oxide)–clay nanocomposites

We report a systematic study of the crystallization and rheological behavior of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–clay nanocomposites. To that end a series of nanocomposites based on PEOs of different molecular weight (103 < MW < 105 g/mol) and clay surface modifier was synthesized and characterized. Incorporation of organoclays with polar (MMT-OH) or aromatic groups (MMT-Ar) suppresses the crystallization of polymer chains in low MW PEO, but does not significantly affect the crystallization of high MW matrices. In addition, the relative complex viscosity of the nanocomposites based on low MW PEO increases significantly, but the effect is less pronounced at higher MWs. The viscosity increases in the series MMT-Alk < MMT-OH < MMT-Ar. In contrast to the neat PEO which exhibits a monotonic decrease of viscosity with temperature, all nanocomposites show an increase after a certain temperature. This is the first report of such dramatic enhancements in the viscoelasticity of nanocomposites, which are reversible, are based on a simple polymer matrix and are true in a wide temperature range.
A shock tube study of the pyrolysis of NO2

NO2 concentration profiles in shock-heated NO2/Ar mixtures were measured in the temperature range of 1350–2100 K and pressures up to 380 atm using Ar+ laser absorption at 472.7 nm, IR emission at 6.25±0.25 μm, and visible emission at 300–600 nm. In the course of this study, the absorption coefficient of NO2 at 472.7 nm was measured at temperatures from 300 K to 2100 K and pressures up to 75 atm. Rate coefficients for the reactions NO2+MNO+O+M (1), NO2+NO22NO+O2 (2a), and NO2+NO2NO3+NO (2b) were derived by comparing the measured and calculated NO2 profiles. For reaction (1), the following low- and high-pressure limiting rate coefficients were inferred which describe the measured fall-off curves in Lindemann form within 15% [FORMULA] The inferred rate coefficient at the low- pressure limit, k1o, is in good agreement with previous work at higher temperatures, but the energy of activation is lower by 20 kJ/mol than reported previously. The pressure dependence of k1 observed in the earlier work of Troe [1] was confirmed. The rate coefficient inferred for the high pressure limit, k1∞, is higher by a factor of two than Troe's value, but in agreement with data obtained by measuring specific energy-dependent rate coefficients. For the reactions (2a) and (2b), least-squares fits of the present data lead to the following Arrhenius expressions: [FORMULA] For reaction (2), the new data agree with previously recommended values of k2a and k2b, although the present study suggests a slightly higher preexponential factor for k2a. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 483–493, 1997.
Heartbeat of a nest: Using imagers as biological sensors

We present a scalable end-to-end system for vision-based monitoring of natural environments, and illustrate its use for the analysis of avian nesting cycles. Our system enables automated analysis of thousands of images, where manual processing would be infeasible. We automate the analysis of raw imaging data using statistics that are tailored to the task of interest. These “features” are a representation to be fed to classifiers that exploit spatial and temporal consistencies. Our testbed can detect the presence or absence of a bird with an accuracy of 82p, count eggs with an accuracy of 84p, and detect the inception of the nesting stage within a day. Our results demonstrate the challenges and potential benefits of using imagers as biological sensors. An exploration of system performance under varying image resolution and frame rate suggest that an in situ adaptive vision system is technically feasible.
Mendelian segregation for two-factor apomixis in Erigeron annuus (Asteraceae).

The inheritance of asexual seed development (apomixis) in Erigeron annuus (Asteraceae) was evaluated in a triploid (2n=3x=27) population resulting from a cross between an apomictic tetraploid (2n=4x=36) pollen parent and a sexual diploid (2n=2x=18) seed parent. Diplospory (unreduced female gametophyte formation) and autonomous development (embryo and endosperm together) segregated independently in the population yielding four distinct phenotype classes: (1) apomictic plants combining diplospory and autonomous development, (2) diplosporous plants lacking autonomous development, (3) meiotic plants with autonomous (though abortive) development and (4) meiotic plants lacking autonomous development. Each class was represented by approximately one-quarter of the population (n=117), thus corresponding to a two-factor genetic model with no linkage (χ2=2.59, P=0.11). Observations demonstrate that autonomous embryo and endosperm development (jointly) may occur in either reduced or unreduced egg cells. The cosegregation of the traits is attributed to tight linkage or pleiotropy. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that autonomous development in E. annuus is regulated by a single fertilization factor, F, which initiates development of both the embryo and the endosperm in the absence of fertilization.
Sensitivity of battery electric vehicle economics to drive patterns, vehicle range, and charge strategies

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) offer the potential to reduce both oil imports and greenhouse gas emissions, but high upfront costs discourage many potential purchasers. Making an economic comparison with conventional alternatives is complicated in part by strong sensitivity to drive patterns, vehicle range, and charge strategies that affect vehicle utilization and battery wear. Identifying justifiable battery replacement schedules and sufficiently accounting for the limited range of a BEV add further complexity to the issue. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed the Battery Ownership Model to address these and related questions. The Battery Ownership Model is applied here to examine the sensitivity of BEV economics to drive patterns, vehicle range, and charge strategies when a high-fidelity battery degradation model, financially justified battery replacement schedules, and two different means of accounting for a BEV's unachievable vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are employed. We find that the value of unachievable VMT with a BEV has a strong impact on the cost-optimal range, charge strategy, and battery replacement schedule; that the overall cost competitiveness of a BEV is highly sensitive to vehicle-specific drive patterns; and that common cross-sectional drive patterns do not provide consistent representation of the relative cost of a BEV.
Nitrogen cycling following mountain pine beetle disturbance in lodgepole pine forests of Greater Yellowstone

Widespread bark beetle outbreaks are currently affecting multiple conifer forest types throughout western North America, yet many ecosystem-level consequences of this disturbance are poorly understood. We quantified the effect of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreak on nitrogen (N) cycling through litter, soil, and vegetation in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (WY, USA) across a 0–30 year chronosequence of time-since-beetle disturbance. Recent (1–4 years) bark beetle disturbance increased total litter depth and N concentration in needle litter relative to undisturbed stands, and soils in recently disturbed stands were cooler with greater rates of net N mineralization and nitrification than undisturbed sites. Thirty years after beetle outbreak, needle litter N concentration remained elevated; however total litter N concentration, total litter mass, and soil N pools and fluxes were not different from undisturbed stands. Canopy N pool size declined 58% in recent outbreaks, and remained 48% lower than undisturbed in 30-year old outbreaks. Foliar N concentrations in unattacked lodgepole pine trees and an understory sedge were positively correlated with net N mineralization in soils across the chronosequence. Bark beetle disturbance altered N cycling through the litter, soil, and vegetation of lodgepole pine forests, but changes in soil N cycling were less severe than those observed following stand replacing fire. Several lines of evidence suggest the potential for N leaching is low following bark beetle disturbance in lodgepole pine.
Human Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): A Critical Assessment of the Evidence for Adverse Health Effects

Results from epidemiologic studies involving human exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are often used to estimate the potential risk or hazard posed by the presence of these chemicals in the workplace or the environment. The use of results and conclusions from individual studies requires an assessment of the scientific quality of the information contained in published reports. The results of a critical review of the scientific literature reported here should be an aid to those who are interested in risk evaluations surrounding exposures to PCBs. There are diverse approaches that one could take to an evaluation of scientific reports of the health hazards of various chemicals. We present one approach to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of studies conducted to understand the potential association between PCB exposure and human health effects. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature involving human exposures to PCBs was performed and each study was evaluated on the basis of a defined set of criteria that were considered standards in epidemiologic research. Two of the 39 occupational studies reviewed provided positive evidence and 3 suggestive evidence for an exposure-related effect, whereas none of the 33 studies where exposure had occurred in the natural environment provided positive or suggestive evidence of an association with adverse effects.
Friendship Groups, Personal Motivation, and Gender in Relation to High School Students' STEM Career Interest

Friendship group characteristics, motivation, and gender were investigated in relation to adolescents' science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career interest. The sample was comprised of 468 high school students (M = 16 years, range = 13–18) from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Participants rated their friendship group's support of STEM as well as their personal motivation in science. They separately rated the friendship group's support of English and personal motivation in English. Other predictors included friendship group characteristics (importance, gender composition) and background variables such as gender. Group support of STEM (but not English) and science motivation (but not English motivation) predicted STEM career interest. Group characteristics and participant gender moderated the effects. Findings suggest social identities and self-concepts may shape youths' STEM career choices.