cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attending Specialization and 30-Day Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: an Analysis of the ACS-MBSAQIP Database

Surgeon and hospital volume are factors that have been shown to impact outcomes following bariatric surgery. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of literature investigating surgeon training on bariatric surgery outcomes. The purpose of our study was to determine if bariatric specialty training leads to improved short-term outcomes following laparoscopic bariatric surgery using the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (ACS-MBSAQIP) database. All patients undergoing first-time, elective, laparoscopic bariatric surgery from 2015 to 2016 were identified within the ACS-MBSAQIP database. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of bariatric procedure performed and the surgeon performing the procedure. Thirty-day outcomes were compared between the groups using multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 140,340 patients met inclusion criteria. Higher risk patients with more associated comorbidities underwent bariatric surgery by a metabolic and bariatric surgeon. After controlling for these differences, patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) had similar 30-day irrespective of the surgeon performing the procedure while patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) by a metabolic and bariatric surgeon (MBS) had improved 30-day outcomes. Surgeon type is associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality outcomes for SG but not for RYGB. These differences in 30-day morbidity and mortality outcomes may be facilitated by institutional factors, surgeon experience, and participation in bariatric surgery accredited centers. Standardization of the perioperative process for both surgeons and institutions may improve 30-day morbidity and mortality outcomes for all patients who undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery.
Challenges in Crohn's disease: Complex perianal Crohn's disease

Abstract Perianal disease is a particularly morbid phenotype of Crohn's disease with significantly diminished quality of life, affecting up to a third of patients. Medical therapies achieve long term durable remission in only a third of patients. Thus, most undergo operative intervention, at the expense of a risk of incontinence. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is an emerging therapy without risk of incontinence and improved efficacy as compared to conventional therapy. Additional manifestations of perianal Crohn's disease including hemorrhoids and skin tags are possible to manage operatively, only in the absence of proctitis and anal canal disease.
SC-GAN: 3D self-attention conditional GAN with spectral normalization for multi-modal neuroimaging synthesis

Image synthesis is one of the key applications of deep learning in neuroimaging, which enables shortening of the scan time and/or improve image quality; therefore, reducing the imaging cost and improving patient experience. Given the multi-modal and large-scale nature of neuroimaging data, the synthesis task is computationally challenging. 2D image synthesis networks do not take advantage of multi-dimensional spatial information and the 3D implementation has dimensionality problem, negatively affecting the network reliability. These limitations hinder the research and clinical applicability of deep learning-based neuroimaging synthesis. In this paper, we proposed a new network that is designed and optimized for the application of multi-modal 3D synthesis of neuroimaging data. The network is based on 3D conditional generative adversarial network (GAN), and employs spectral normalization and feature matching to stabilize the training process and ensure optimization convergence. We also added a self-attention module to model relationships between widely separated voxels. The performance of the network was evaluated by predicting positron emission tomography (PET) images, Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps from multi-modal magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 265 and 497 individuals correspondingly. The proposed network, called self-attention conditional GAN (SC-GAN), significantly outperformed conventional 2D conditional GAN and the 3D implementation, enabling robust 3D deep learning-based neuroimaging synthesis.
Swimming Through It: Pain Reporting Behaviors in Competitive Adolescent Swimmers

Introduction: “Swimmer’s shoulder” is the colloquial phrase describing pain and injury in the anterolateral region of the shoulder, and is reported by 40-91% of adolescents competitive swimmers (1-3). In similar overhead sports where overuse injuries are common (e.g. baseball), official guidelines recommend vigilance when young athletes report upper extremity pain (4). However, no guidelines exist for competitive swimming. Yet, early detection of shoulder pain is imperative to long-term health of athletes, as shoulder pain can signal imminent overuse injury (4). Given that over 8 in 10 competitive adolescent swimmers express reluctance towards rest time for recovery, communication with peers, parents, and coaches is essential for awareness of symptoms preceding necessary interventions …
Factors affecting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in school settings

Background Several studies have reported SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in schools, with a wide range of secondary attack rate (SAR; range: 0-100%). We aimed to examine the key risk factors to better understand transmission in school settings. Methods We collected records of SARS-CoV-2 school outbreaks globally published from January 2020 to January 2021 and compiled information on hypothesized risk factors. We utilized the directed acyclic graph (DAG) to conceptualize the risk mechanisms, used logistic regression to examine each risk-factor group, and further built multiple variable models based on the marginal analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results From 17 relevant articles, 26 school clusters were included for analysis. The best-fit model showed that the intensity of community transmission (aOR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.22 - 1.30, for each increase of 10 cases per 100,000 persons per week), social distancing (aOR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.18 - 0.37), mask-wearing (aOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.35 - 0.78) were associated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in schools. Compared to students in pre-schools, the aOR was 0.12 (95% CI: 0.07 - 0.19) for students in primary schools and 1.31 (95% CI: 0.93 - 1.87) for students in high schools. Conclusions Preventive measures in both schools (e.g. social distancing and mask-wearing) and communities (additionally, vaccination) should be taken to collectively reduce transmission and protect children in schools. Flexible reopening policies may be considered for different levels of schools given their risk differences.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of fentanyl homologues and analogues : II. Variables affecting hydrophobic group contribution

Abstract The effects of organic modifier, stationary phase, hydrophobic substitution, and temperature on the group contribution values for 26 homologues and analogues of the drug fentanyl were studied. Using equations relating group contribution to molecular connectivity, it was found that hydrophobic selectivity is approximately independent of mobile phase composition for mixtures commonly employed in solvent optimization schemes based on overlapping resolution mapping. Similarly, hydrophobic selectivity was also found to be almost identical on both a silica-based Partisil 10-ODS-3 column and a polymer-based PRP-1 column under normalized time conditions. In contrast, hydrophobic selectivity was found to depend on the position of methylene substitution on the parent fentanyl molecule and the type of substituent. For all mobile phases studied there is a small decrease in group contribution values with increases in temperature.
The Derivation of Conservation Laws

To see how conservation laws arise from physical principles, we will begin by deriving the equation for conservation of mass in a one-dimensional gas dynamics problem, for example flow in a tube where properties of the gas such as density and velocity are assumed to be constant across each cross section of the tube. Let x represent the distance along the tube and let p(x, t) be the density of the gas at point x and time t.
Ratio of bcl-xshort to bcl-xlong Is Different in Good- and Poor-Prognosis Subsets of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous collection of leukemic disorders ranging from chemotherapy-sensitive subsets [inversion 16 and t(8;21)], which often can be cured with cytosine arabinoside alone, to the most resistant subsets, which can survive even supralethal levels of combination alkylator chemotherapy (cytogenetic subsets monosomy 5 and monosomy 7). To analyze the expression of BCL-2 family genes, which are expressed in these subsets of AML, we used PCR sequence amplification reactions that are dependent on oligonucleotide primers representing the BH1 and BH2 homology domains to generate the unique regions between BH1 and BH2. These primers are conserved among all members of the BCL-2 gene family and are separated by a 150 nucleotide region sequence between the BH1 and BH2 domains. The PCR products unique to each BCL-2 family member were cloned directionally into sequencing vectors. The identity of the insert of each clone was determined by slot-blots of the DNA amplified from individual colonies and by hybridization with radioactive probes specific to the bcl-2, bcl-x, or bax genes. We found that bcl-2 is the predominant member expressed in AML samples with a poor prognosis (−5, −7), whereas the transcripts of bcl-x are higher than those of bcl-2 in the AML samples with a good prognosis [invl6, t(8;21)]. No significant difference in bax expression was detected between AML subsets of good and bad prognosis. The ratio of bcl-xlong, which inhibits apoptosis, to bcl-xshort, which promotes apopto-sis, was determined by amplification with a pair of primers specific to bcl-x followed by separation of the PCR product on agarose gels. Bcl-xlong and bcl-xshort appeared as bands of different molecular mass on a molecular weight gel and were visualized by ethidium bromide staining or Southern blot analysis with a bcl-x-specific probe. We found that the ratio of bcl-x long to bcl-x short was higher in the AML patients with a poor prognosis. These experiments showed that the levels of BCL-2 family members in the leukemia cells of good- and poor-prognosis subsets are different. In addition, novel members of the BCL-2 family were isolated from the cells of AML patients of either prognosis.
Re-Re Financing Civil Litigation: How Lawyer Lending Might Remake the American Litigation Landscape, Again

Stephen Yeazell has long recognized that changes to case capitalization affect the nature and intensity of civil litigation. So too, writing back in 2001, Yeazell identified the next wave of capital with the capacity to alter the American litigation landscape: third-party litigation finance. In the ensuing decade, that industry, and specifically what I call the “lawyer lending” industry — comprised of lenders who extend capital to plaintiffs’ lawyers to finance personal injury litigation — has blossomed. Today, firms like Advocate Capital and Counsel Financial channel tens of millions of dollars to plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers each year and seem poised for further expansion. Picking up where Yeazell left off, this Essay, written in his honor, asks: How might the arrival of lawyer lending transform the capitalization, organization, and sophistication of plaintiff-side practice? And how might changes to plaintiff-side practice affect the quantum and character of personal injury litigation in the United States?
Body cavity fluids.

Body cavity fluid specimens come from the mesothelium-lined pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities and have much in common with one another. These specimens can pose unique challenges for the cytologist. Although the specimens are relatively simple to obtain, diagnosis is often rendered difficult by the very abundance of material provided for analysis. Isolating and identifying small numbers of diagnostically critical cells in large volumes of fluid can prove difficult.
Research-Driven Practice in Fraternity and Sorority Life.

This chapter examines the findings, implications for practice, and directions for future research provided by the WNS research that focused on fraternities and sororities.
A Cultural-Ecological Model of School Climate.

School climate has been established as an important construct to measure because of its connections to student psychological, social, and academic outcomes (Anderson, 1982; Koth, Bradshaw, & Leaf, 2008; Kuperminc, Leadbeater, Emmons, & Blatt, 1997). Prior research has also established relationships between student perceptions of school climate and individual (i.e., race and ethnicity, gender), classroom (i.e., class size, academic environment), and school (i.e., school size, teacher characteristics) cultural factors. While these variables provide insight into the ways that students come to experience school climate differently, there still remains a need to examine the effect of additional cultural and ecological variables that also have a proximal effect on students' school experiences and perceptions of climate. The current paper presents the Cultural-Ecological Model of School Climate as a method for understanding the interrelationships between personal characteristics, culture, ecological contexts, an...
Direct and Regulated Interaction of Integrin αEβ7 with E-Cadherin

The cadherins are a family of homophilic adhesion molecules that play a vital role in the formation of cellular junctions and in tissue morphogenesis. Members of the integrin family are also involved in cell to cell adhesion, but bind heterophilically to immunoglobulin superfamily molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)–1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)–1, or mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MadCAM)–1. Recently, an interaction between epithelial (E-) cadherin and the mucosal lymphocyte integrin, αEβ7, has been proposed. Here, we demonstrate that a human E-cadherin–Fc fusion protein binds directly to soluble recombinant αEβ7, and to αEβ7 solubilized from intraepithelial T lymphocytes. Furthermore, intraepithelial lymphocytes or transfected JY′ cells expressing the αEβ7 integrin adhere strongly to purified E-cadherin–Fc coated on plastic, and the adhesion can be inhibited by antibodies to αEβ7 or E-cadherin. The binding of αEβ7 integrin to cadherins is selective since cell adhesion to P-cadherin–Fc through αEβ7 requires >100-fold more fusion protein than to E-cadherin–Fc. Although the structure of the αE-chain is unique among integrins, the avidity of αEβ7 for E-cadherin can be regulated by divalent cations or phorbol myristate acetate. Cross-linking of the T cell receptor complex on intraepithelial lymphocytes increases the avidity of αEβ7 for E-cadherin, and may provide a mechanism for the adherence and activation of lymphocytes within the epithelium in the presence of specific foreign antigen. Thus, despite its dissimilarity to known integrin ligands, the specific molecular interaction demonstrated here indicates that E-cadherin is a direct counter receptor for the αEβ7 integrin.
1,1‐Dimethoxyethane

[534-15-6] C4H10O2 (MW 90.12) InChI = 1S/C4H10O2/c1-4(5-2)6-3/h4H,1-3H3 InChIKey = SPEUIVXLLWOEMJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent for diol protection1 and condensation reactions8) Alternate Name: acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal. Physical Data: mp −113.2 °C; bp 64.5 °C; d 0.850 g cm−3. Solubility: sol most organic solvents. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: flammable liquid.
A ferret model of synergism between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract Background: Mouse-adapted laboratory strains of influenza virus have to be used in mouse models of synergism between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Since ferrets support human influenza viruses without adaptation, we sought to characterize a ferret model of synergism between influenza and pneumococcus. Methods: Pairs of ferrets were infected with either influenza virus A/Sydney/5/97 or PBS then challenged 5 days later with either pneumococcus strain D39 or PBS. Clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored during a 48-h follow-up period after the challenge. Results: Ferrets receiving influenza then pneumococcus exhibited more severe clinical signs of illness and larger increases in WBC and segmental cell counts than did ferrets receiving influenza virus or pneumococcus alone. Pneumococcal nasal wash titers were higher in ferrets infected with influenza virus followed by pneumococcus than in those infected with pneumococcus alone. Histopathologic abnormalities in lungs were mild, but differences between sequentially infected and singly infected ferrets were observed. Conclusion: A sequential infection with influenza virus and pneumococcus causes a synergistic increase in morbidity in ferrets. This ferret model will be useful for study of the interactions between non-adapted human influenza viruses and S. pneumoniae.
ST-segment elevation in non-atherosclerotic coronaries: a brief overview

The most common, clinically significant cause of ST elevation is an angiographically demonstrable occlusive disease due to atherosclerotic changes in coronary artery. Often, a patient presenting with non-specific complaints and ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram, is sent for a cardiac catheterization only to see no luminal stenosis on the angiogram. This clinical review is intended to inform emergency medicine physicians and internists about the conditions in which ST-segment elevation is accompanied with no atherosclerotic lesion on coronary angiography. These situations make a diverse array of conditions ranging from anomalous coronaries to anatomically normal coronaries with varied degrees of myocardial injury. These conditions are briefly reviewed in this article.
Endosymbionts and mitochondrial origins

The possibility is put forth that the mitochondrion did not originate from an endosymbiosis 1-2 billion years ago involving an aerobic bacterium. Rather, it arose by endosymbiosis in a much earlier anaerobic period and was initially a photosynthetic organelle analogous to the modern chloroplast. This suggestion arises from a reconsideration of the nature of endosymbiosis. It explains the remarkable diversity in mitochondrial information storage and processing systems.
SU-E-T-630: MCO-Informed VMAT Planning for Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: To develop a VMAT optimization procedure using information from Multi‐Criteria Optimization of IMRT plans and to perform a treatment planning comparison for prostate cancer patients. Methods:IMRT plans using Multi‐Criteria Optimization (MCO), 6 MV photons, 20 and 7 treatment fields were generated for 10 prostate patients in the RayStation treatment planning system (Version 2.2.13, Raysearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden). The prescription dose was 7560 cGy to the prostate PTV and 5796 cGy to the seminal vesicles, using a simultaneous integrated boost technique. The resulting DVH parameters of the 20 field IMRT‐MCO plan were used as initial optimization parameters for VMAT planning. The initial VMAT plan for each patient was further optimized by adjusting the optimization objectives/constraints. Final plan quality was compared using a homogeneity index (HI) and D98 for PTV‐prostate, V70 and V75 for anterior rectum and V70 for bladder. Moreover, delivery efficiency of VMAT and the 7 field MCO‐IMRT plans was also evaluated. Results: All plans fulfilled the standard clinical objectives. The average HI of the PTV‐prostate was 0.11 for VMAT, 0.13 for 20 field IMRT‐MCO and 0.12 for 7 field IMRT‐MCO, respectively. Average D98 values were 7191, 7294 and 7305 cGy for VMAT, 20 field IMRT‐MCO and 7 field IMRT‐MCO, respectively. For organ‐at‐risk (OAR), V70 and V75 for anterior rectum and V70 for bladder were within 3%. Analysis of delivery efficiency shows the estimated delivery time of VMAT is less than 2 minutes, while it is 7 min for 7 field IMRT‐MCO. Conclusions: MCO‐informed VMAT optimization is a useful way to generate optimal VMAT plans. The resulting VMAT plan quality essentially matched the MCO‐IMRT plan but with a shorter delivery time. Dose homogeneity of VMAT is slight superior compared to IMRT‐MCO while the cold spots are slightly inferior. Furthermore, there is no clinically significant difference in OAR sparing. Funding support provided by NCI Federal Share Proton Beam Program Income Grant and Raysearch Laboratories
Coated-wire cadmium ion-selective electrode based on the bidentate neutral carrier 4,4′-di(5-nonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine

A coated-wire ion-selective electrode (CWE) based on the bidentate neutral carrier 4,4′-di(5-nonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (DNBP) was developed for the determination of divalent cadmium. The CWE exhibited a Nernstian response, a dynamic range of three orders of magnitude and a detection limit of 1 × 10−6 M. Selectivity coefficients (kpoti,j) were determined for Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). The short lifetime of the CWE was found to be attributable to the cadmium ion loading, which reduced the free ligand concentration in the polymer membrane. Current scan polarography using the ascending water electrode was utilized to examine the suitability of DNBP as a neutral carrier for a CWE. The Cd(II)-DNBP ion transfer process was shown to be first order, diffusion controlled and reversible. The half-wave potential showed a Nernstian dependence with cadmium concentration (34 mV/log C). Potentiodynamic selectivity coefficients (kdyni, j) were determined for Cu(II) and Zn(II), which were compared to the actual kpoti, j values. This study demonstrates the usefulness of ion transfer kinetics as a guide to the selectivity behavior of a CWE.
Culbertson on Interest Structure: Comment

Although current theory of the maturity structure of interest rates is in no sense complete or integrated, it is a far more acceptable body of doctrine than is indicated in John Culbertson's recent article.' It is true that since the theory exists only among the pages of scattered journal articles it is extremely difficult for one to form a correct perspective of its current status. Culbertson's article, while informative and interesting in its description of institutional demand for securities, does little to lessen this difficulty since it presents a description of the current theory that is both incomplete and, in places, incorrect. This note will set forth an interpretation of existing theory and will discuss Culbertson's theoretical treatment of expectations.2 Both because of its development and for expositional convenience, the theory will be discussed under two headings: expectations and uncertainty. The discussion of expectations refers to the influence on present interest rates of expected future rates while the discussion of uncertainty refers to the influence on present rates of uncertainty of future rates. The term expectations refers to a measure of central tendency and the terms uncertainty and risk both refer to measures of dispersion of an investor's subjective probability distribution of anticipated outcomes. Irving Fisher's statement concerning expectations -the present long rate is an average of expected short rates discounted over the life of the longest security assumes unanimous and "certain" expectations of future interest rates. The current version relating to expectations, developed by John Hicks,4 Nicholas Kaldor,5 Michal
Carbon frameworks as scaffolding for self-assembly to bio-organic structures

Carbon spheres and tubes form readily under a variety of physical-chemical conditions. They can mimic elementary life forms as well as fossilized organisms. However, they may still be connected to living systems either as proto- structures for future life or as rudimentary forms of past life. This paper suggests that carbon frameworks allow by virtue of their scaffolding properties the self-assembly to expanded structures, eventually leading to biosystems such as simple viruses and other microorganisms. This development is not limited to terrestrial environments, although solvents molecules such as water and coordinating metal ions are essential vehicles for morphogenesis.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
9700-Hour Durability Test of a Five Centimeter Diameter Ion Thruster

A modified Hughes SIT-5 thrustor has been life-tested at the Lewis Research Center. The final 2700 hours of the test are described with a charted history of thrustor operating parameters and off-normal events. Performance and operating characteristics were nearly constant throughout the test except for neutralizer heater power requirements and accelerator drain current. A post-shutdown inspection revealed sputter erosion of ion chamber components and component flaking of sputtered metal. Several flakes caused beamlet divergence and anomalous grid erosion, causing the test to be terminated. All sputter erosion sources have been identified and promising sputter resistant components are currently being evaluated.
Self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vector: global distribution and broad dispersion of AAV-mediated transgene expression in mouse brain.

The blood–brain barrier is the main obstacle to efficient delivery of therapeutic reagents, including viral vectors, into the central nervous system (CNS) for treating global CNS diseases. In this study, the effects of mannitol infusions on global brain gene expression of a novel AAV vector were examined after intravenous (iv) or intracisternal injection. Initially, a self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vector (scAAV) was compared to traditional single-stranded AAV2 vector for reporter gene expression in the brain of adult mice with or without pretreatment of an iv mannitol infusion. One to two months postinjection, analysis of vector-transduced green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in the brain revealed that vector delivery to the CNS via iv injection required pretreatment with mannitol. This expression was observed only when scAAV vectors were used. Using these conditions, transgene expression was observed in various neurons and glial cells throughout the brain. The peripherally administered scAAV vectors also transduced the cells in multiple somatic tissues with efficient expression in liver (20–30% of hepatocytes), but was less efficient in other somatic tissues. Intracisternal injection of scAAV vector produced a broad and intense transgene expression in both neurons and glial cells in the CNS of injected mice ranging from the olfactory area to the brain stem and spinal cord. More than 50% of the Purkinje cells in the cerebellum expressed GFP. Intravenous infusion of mannitol before intracisternal injection of the scAAV vector enhanced the dispersion of the vector in the CNS. Further optimization of these steps combining peripheral and intracisternal scAAV gene delivery should facilitate the development of treatments for global CNS diseases, especially diseases involving both the somatic system and the CNS, such as lysosomal storage disorders.
Vertebrate DM domain proteins bind similar DNA sequences and can heterodimerize on DNA

The DM domain is a zinc finger-like DNA binding motif first identified in the sexual regulatory proteins Doublesex (DSX) and MAB-3, and is widely conserved among metazoans. DM domain proteins regulate sexual differentiation in at least three phyla and also control other aspects of development, including vertebrate segmentation. Most DM domain proteins share little similarity outside the DM domain. DSX and MAB-3 bind partially overlapping DNA sequences, and DSX has been shown to interact with DNA via the minor groove without inducing DNA bending. DSX and MAB-3 exhibit unusually high DNA sequence specificity relative to other minor groove binding proteins. No detailed analysis of DNA binding by the seven vertebrate DM domain proteins, DMRT1-DMRT7 has been reported, and thus it is unknown whether they recognize similar or diverse DNA sequences. We used a random oligonucleotide in vitro selection method to determine DNA binding sites for six of the seven proteins. These proteins selected sites resembling that of DSX despite differences in the sequence of the DM domain recognition helix, but they varied in binding efficiency and in preferences for particular nucleotides, and some behaved anomalously in gel mobility shift assays. DMRT1 protein from mouse testis extracts binds the sequence we determined, and the DMRT proteins can bind their in vitro-defined sites in transfected cells. We also find that some DMRT proteins can bind DNA as heterodimers. Our results suggest that target gene specificity of the DMRT proteins does not derive exclusively from major differences in DNA binding specificity. Instead target specificity may come from more subtle differences in DNA binding preference between different homodimers, together with differences in binding specificity between homodimers versus heterodimers.
A Formal Semantics for Ciset and Ciset Relation Operators

Abstract In this paper we present a formal model of semantics for newly introduced operators of cisets, ciset relations. The notion of alternate worlds is used to formalize the information content of a ciset and ciset relations. A ciset represents a collection of (regular) sets. Similarly, a ciset relation represents a collection of (regular) relations. Once this collection has been identified, any ciset relational operator can be applied on the collection of (regular) relations represented by ciset relations involved. This approach is computationally inefficient and is introduced solely to fully explain in a formal way, the semantics of newly introduced operators.
An Active Islanding Detection Method for Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Generation System

This study proposes an active islanding detection method for use of grid-connected inverter of renewable energy generation system (REGS). With a digital signal processor (DSP) integrated, the proposed method is capable of detecting the islanding fault of grid-connected inverters of REGS during the variable load conditions. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, the method was tested on a practical inverter of REGS, the field practical operations of the proposed method were studied in accordance with the conditions for the different loads and fault types. Test results are presented which show that the new proposed method is reliable, economical and easy for implementation.
Partial Omega Squared for Anova Designs

The present paper is concerned with measuring the size of an effect for fixed effects factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) experimental designs. A brief review of the literature is provided, emph...
Determination of the Effective Imaginary Term of the Complex Refractive Index of Atmospheric Dust by Remote Sensing: The Diffuse-Direct Radiation Method

Abstract A unique and promising method is outlined for determining the complex part of the index of refraction of atmospheric dust by utilizing measurements of diffuse and direct solar radiation. The solution requires comparison of measurements of the ratio of diffuse to direct solar radiation with theoretical calculations of the same values. A knowledge of the ground albedo is necessary for the solution. The ground albedo may, in fact, also be determined from the measured ratios, but the solution in this case tends to he more sensitive to measurement than when the ground albedo is known.
Effects of birth order, sex, and family size of field dependence and locus on control.

The effects of birth order, sex, and family size were assessed on college students' performance on the rod-and-frame test and locus-of-control scale. No significant effects were obtained except for...
What is the learning curve for laparoscopic appendectomy

When contemplating converting from open to laparoscopic appendectomy, a prudent surgeon should consider the anticipated learning curve. To evaluate this we reviewed our experience with 20 sequential patients representing this transition. We found the learning curve was brief and did not compromise clinical results. A reduction in hospitalization time without a rise in total hospital costs should encourage the experienced laparoscopic surgeon to consider laparoscopic appendectomy as a viable alternative to standard laparotomy in the resection of the acutely inflamed appendix.
A passive environmental 222Rn monitor based on the exoelectron dosimeter

Abstract A high efficiency for BeO ceramic exoelectron dosimeters is demonstrated in the integrated monitoring of Mylar radon at concentrations close to natural background levels. Electrostatic collection of radon daughters onto aluminized mylar foil covering a BeO disk is achieved inside a porous, hemispherical chamber of the type developed by Costa-Ribeiro et al. This application of the exoelectron dosimeter for radon monitoring inside dwellings is a particularly favorable one; the lack of excessively high humidities and the clean conditions inside the hemisphere favor the reliable performance of the exoelectron dosimeter. Radon concentration - exposure times of 3 pCi h/l, or more, can be measured with an accuracy of about ±25% when the temperature and relative humidity are fluctuating. This means that radon concentrations of a few tenths of a pCi/l can be measured using exposure times of only a day or two.
Diabetes and vascular impotence: does insulin dependence increase the relative severity?

Aim of the study: Diabetes is a well documented risk factor for vascular erectile dysfunction (ED). We evaluated the relative roles of insulin dependence (IDDM) vs oral agent controlled diabetes (NIDDM) in predicting the etiologies and severity of ED: arterial insufficiency (AI), venous leakage (CVOD), and mixed vascular disease. The impact of additional risk factors were also analyzed: hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), and smoking (SM). Methods: Retrospective data on 105 patients complaining of impotence who underwent pharmacotesting with PGE1 (Caverject) and color duplex Doppler was reviewed. Penile blood flow study (PBFS) data following a period of privacy and self-stimulation was compared. PBFS diagnostic criteria were: AI for peak systolic velocity (PSV)<25 cm/s; CVOD for PSV ≥35 cm/s and resistive index (RI)<0.9; mixed vascular disease for PSV ≥25 cm/s, PSV<35 cm/s and RI≥0.9. Consistent dosing of PGE1 was used; 6 mcg for age<60 y and 10 mcg for age ≥60 y. Patients were NIDDM (79 out of 105) and IDDM (26 out of 105). Mean ages for NIDDM and IDDM were respectively 60, and 55 y. The relative significance of insulin dependence was assessed by Student’s t-test. Results: The most common etiology of ED was arterial insufficiency: mean PSV’s did not significantly vary and were: 23.5 cm/s for NIDDM, and 21.6 cm/s for IDDM. PBFS parameters did not vary significantly for the risk factors of SM or HTN and diabetes. Mean peak systolic velocities were significantly different among diabetics with coronary artery disease: NIDDM/CAD, 22.9 cm/s compared to IDDM/CAD, 14.8 cm/s (P=0.006). Conclusions: We found among the 105 diabetics the most common etiology of vascular ED based on Doppler criteria was arterial insufficiency, 64%. Statistical analysis of additional risk factors (SM, HTN, CAD) suggested that patients with IDDM and CAD have more severe cavernosal arterial insufficiency than patients with NIDDM and CAD. This data tends to support the theory that microangiopathy is the predominant factor in diabetic impotence, and that insulin dependent diabetes with `large vessel’ coronary heart disease have a similar pathology in the `small vessels’ regulating penile inflow which is unfortunately worse than their non-insulin dependent counterparts.
Angiotensin II induces renal oxidant stress in vivo and heme oxygenase-1 in vivo and in vitro.

Angiotensin II induces renal oxidant stress in vivo and heme oxygenase-1 in vivo and in vitro. Background Angiotensin II is strongly incriminated in progressive renal injury. There is recent evidence that angiotensin II induces oxidative stress in vitro. We examined the capacity of angiotensin II to induce oxidative stress in vivo and the functional significance of such stress. The capacity of angiotensin II to induce the oxidant-sensitive gene heme oxygenase (HO) in vivo and in vitro was also examined. Methods Angiotensin II was administered via mini-osmotic pumps to rats maintained on standard diets. Indices of oxidative stress, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, carbonyl protein content, and HO activity, were determined. Indices of oxidative stress and functional markers were also determined in the DOCA salt model. The effect of angiotensin II was studied in rats maintained on antioxidant-deficient diets so as to examine the functional significance of oxidative stress induced by angiotensin II. We also explored the inductive effect of angiotensin II on HO in vivo and whether such actions occur in vitro. Results Angiotensin II administered in vivo increased kidney content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances protein carbonyl content, and HO activity. These indices were not present in the kidney of rats treated with DOCA salt for three weeks. Such oxidative stress was functionally significant, since the administration of angiotensin II to rats maintained on a prooxidant diet demonstrated increased proteinuria and decreased creatinine clearance. The stimulatory effect on HO activity was due to induction of HO-1 mRNA, with HO-2 mRNA remaining unchanged. Expression of HO-1 was localized to the renal proximal tubules in vivo. We also demonstrate that angiotensin II at concentrations of 10 -8 and 10 -7 mol/L induces expression of HO-1 mRNA in LLC-PK1 cells. Conclusions Angiotensin II induces oxidative stress in vivo, which contributes to renal injury. This study also demonstrates that angiotensin II induces renal HO activity caused by up-regulation of HO-1 in renal proximal tubules. Finally, angiotensin II directly induces HO-1 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in vitro.
On the quantization of membrane theories

Abstract In connection with the quantization of membrane theories, a three-dimensional analogue of the conformal gauge is formulated on the basis of a non-linear gauge condition. The resulting action consists of polynomials in the membrane variables and Faddeev-Popov ghosts up to quartic terms, and it preserved the BRS symmetry. Some of the applications of this formulation are briefly discussed.
Differential reactivities of recombinant glycosylated ectodomains of mouse and human thyrotropin receptors with patient autoantibodies.

We expressed the extracellular domain of the mouse TSH receptor (mET-gp) using the baculovirus expression system. The recombinant protein was identified as mET-gp by immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. Carbohydrate analysis of the recombinant protein showed that the protein is glycosylated. Experimental antibodies raised against the extracellular domain of the human TSHr (ETSHr) were assayed for reactivity against mET-gp and glycosylated human ETSHr (ETSHr-gp) in an ELISA and found to be comparable. Similarly, both mET-gp and ETSHr-gp proteins neutralized the TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) activity of rabbit anti-ETSHr antibodies in a RRA. However, when these proteins were compared for their ability to neutralize TBII and blocking activities (TSBAb) of IgG from patients with thyroid autoimmune disorders, only ETSHr-gp was able to neutralize these activities. In contrast, mET-gp partially neutralized, whereas ETSHr-gp completely neutralized the stimulatory (TSAb) activities o...
Stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer aged 75 years and older: retrospective results from a multicenter consortium.

Abstract Background This study was a retrospective analysis of elderly patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in the setting of a multi-institutional consortium. Patients and Methods Three institutions pooled data on patients aged ≥ 75 years who received SBRT for stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Forty-seven tumors in 46 patients were analyzed in patients aged 75 to 92 years (median, 82 years). Treatment was delivered during 2007 to 2009, with a median follow-up of 12.4 months. All patients underwent staging positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT), and 87% of tumors were confirmed by biopsy results. Total doses were 35 to 60 Gy, mainly in 3 to 5 fractions. All tumors were treated using a linear accelerator, with 96% of patients receiving 3-dimensional (3D) conformal RT and 4% undergoing intensity modulated RT (IMRT). Results At the time of analysis, the local failure rate was 2% (1 of 47). The regional failure rate was 9% (4 of 47). The distant failure rate was 6% (3 of 47). The combined failure rate was 15% (7 of 47) because 1 patient experienced both regional and distant failure. Among 20 tumors with any acute toxicity, there were no ≥ grade 3 toxicities. Pneumonitis (n = 10) grades 1 (n = 3) and 2 (n = 2) was seen in 15% and 10% of patients, respectively; these data were missing for 25% of patients. Conclusion SBRT in patients aged ≥ 75 years with stage I NSCLC proved tolerable, with toxicity rates comparable to those in younger patients. Excellent rates of local, regional, and distant control were achieved at a median follow-up of 12.4 months. This patient population represents a rapidly growing segment of the early lung cancer population, and SBRT appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients who are not optimal candidates for surgery.
Illness behaviour in neurological inpatients with psychiatric morbidity

Abstract Objective. – The aim of the present study was to examine whether psychiatric morbidity can influence the type of illness behaviour of neurological inpatients. Methods. – For this purpose, we compared neurological inpatients with and without psychiatric disorders (DSM-IIIR criteria) for the seven scales of Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ) and searched for possible differences between the two patient subgroups. Results. – Of the 105 neurological inpatients who participated in the study, 54 (51.4%) were diagnosed as having some type of psychiatric disorder. These patients scored significantly higher than patients without psychiatric morbidity in the scale of Irritability. A suggestive trend for higher scores in the scales of Hypochondriasis, Disease Conviction, and Affective Disturbance, and significantly lower score in the scale of Denial, in patients with psychiatric morbidity, were also found. Conclusion. – The present study has shown that neurological inpatients with psychiatric morbidity tend to develop more intense illness behaviour than those without. The effect of psychiatric morbidity on certain components of illness behaviour in neurological patients can be taken into account when therapeutic strategies are planned.
Effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the toxicity of the arylhydroxylamine metabolites of sulphamethoxazole and dapsone in normal human keratinocytes.

Abstract Sulphonamides, such as sulphamethoxazole (SMX) and the related sulphone dapsone (DDS), show a higher incidence of cutaneous drug reactions (CDRs) in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) compared with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative patients. During HIV infection, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are increased. We hypothesized that this increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines may increase the toxicity of the arylhydroxylamine metabolites of SMX (S-NOH) and DDS (D-NOH) in keratinocytes through a reduction in glutathione (GSH) content. We evaluated the effect of TNF-α on GSH levels in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and found a significant decrease in GSH after 24 h. Pre-treatment with TNF-α also resulted in an increase in the recovery of D-NOH, but failed to alter drug–protein covalent adduct formation in NHEK. We also evaluated the effect of TNF-α, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and conditioned media (obtained from monocytes stimulated with LPS) on the cytotoxicity of pre-formed arylhydroxylamine metabolites in NHEK. Priming cells with cytokines did not significantly alter the cytotoxicity of the metabolites. The effect of pre-treatment with TNF-α on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in NHEK was also determined. While ROS formation in NHEK was increased in the presence of D-NOH, TNF-α did not alter the level of ROS generation. Our data suggest that the level of GSH reduction induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines does not predispose NHEK to cellular toxicity from either S-NOH or D-NOH.
Representation of Women in International Business Case Studies

Abstract This study updates by 10 years an earlier one addressing the availability of female role models in international management training. The present study found 15.2% of 750 international business case studies showing women in significant roles, versus 2.3% of 388 cases before. Overall, the results generally suggest that case writers in current international textbooks and casebooks portray women in roles reflective of comparable managerial, functional, and professional roles in the corporate world. Case and book authors are encouraged to scrutinize the material they incorporate in revised and new books, as well as the styles in which the cases are presented, to assure the presence of appropriate role models for women.
Oxygen-uptake efficiency slope as a determinant of fitness in overweight adolescents.

Purpose: Peak oxygen uptake (V?O2peak) is frequently difficult to assess in overweight individuals; therefore, submaximal measures that predict V?O2peak are proposed as substitutes. Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) has been suggested as a submaximal measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness that is independent of exercise intensity. There are few data examining its value as a predictor of V?O2peak in severely overweight adolescents. Methods: One hundred seven severely overweight (BMI Z 2.50 ± 0.34) and 43 nonoverweight (BMI Z 0.13 ± 0.84) adolescents, performed a maximal cycle ergometer test with respiratory gas-exchange measurements. OUES was calculated through three exercise intensities: lactate inflection point (OUES LI), 150% of lactate inflection point (OUES 150), and V?O2peak (OUES PEAK). Results: When adjusted for lean body mass, V?O2peak and OUES at all exercise intensities were lower in overweight subjects (V?O2peak: 35.3 ± 6.4 vs 46.8 ± 7.9 mL·kg-1 LBM·min-1, P < 0.001; OUES LI: 37.9 ± 10.0 vs 43.7 ± 9.2 mL·kg-1 LBM·min-1·logL-1 P < 0.001; OUES 150: 41.6 ± 9.0 vs 49.8 ± 11.1 mL·kg-1 LBM·min-1·logL-1 P < 0.001; and OUES PEAK: 45.1 ± 8.7 vs 52.8 ± 9.6 mL·kg-1 LBM·min-1·logL-1 P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in OUES with increasing exercise intensity in both groups (P < 0.001). OUES at all exercise intensities was a significant predictor of V?O2peak for both groups (r2 = 0.35-0.83, P < 0.0001). However, limits of agreement for predicted V?O2peak relative to actual V?O2peak were wide (± 478 to ± 670 mL·min-1). Conclusions: OUES differs significantly in overweight and nonoverweight adolescents. The wide interindividual variation and the exercise intensity dependence of OUES preclude its use in clinical practice as a predictor of V?O2peak.