cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: The Driving Force for Improvement in Cardiac Surgery

Initiated in 1989, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) includes more than 1085 participating centers, representing 90%-95% of current US-based adult cardiac surgery hospitals. Since its inception, the primary goal of the STS ACSD has been to use clinical data to track and improve cardiac surgical outcomes. Patients' preoperative risk characteristics, procedure-related processes of care, and clinical outcomes data have been captured and analyzed, with timely risk-adjusted feedback reports to participating providers. In 2006, STS initiated an external audit process to evaluate STS ACSD completeness and accuracy. Given the extremely high inter-rater reliability and completeness rates of STS ACSD, it is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for benchmarking cardiac surgery risk-adjusted outcomes. Over time, STS ACSD has expanded its quality horizons beyond the traditional focus on isolated, risk-adjusted short-term outcomes such as perioperative morbidity and mortality. New quality indicators have evolved including composite measures of key processes of care and outcomes (risk-adjusted morbidity and risk-adjusted mortality), longer-term outcomes, and readmissions. Resource use and patient-reported outcomes would be added in the future. These additional metrics provide a more comprehensive perspective on quality as well as additional end points. Widespread acceptance and use of STS ACSD has led to a cultural transformation within cardiac surgery by providing nationally benchmarked data for internal quality assessment, aiding data-driven quality improvement activities, serving as the basis for a voluntary public reporting program, advancing cardiac surgery care through STS ACSD-based research, and facilitating data-driven informed consent dialogues and alternative treatment-related discussions.
PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MSH1, A YEAST MITOCHONDRIAL PROTEIN THAT BINDS TO DNA MISMATCHES

MSH1 is a homologue of the Escherichia coli MutS gene that is proposed to play an important role in the repair and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Reenan, R.A., and Kolodner, R. D. (1992) Genetics 132, 985-1985). In this study, we demonstrate that msh1/MSH1 strains accumulate point mutations in mitochondria seven times faster than the wild-type. We also show that the MSH1 protein is targeted to the mitochondria where its mitochondrial-targeting sequence is removed. Purified MSH1 hydrolyzes ATP and recognizes DNA substrates containing nucleotide mismatches and unpaired nucleotides. The hierarchy of binding affinity of MSH1 among various mismatches is similar to that of MutS, suggesting that both proteins share a highly conserved scheme for recognizing mismatches. The specific binding of MSH1 to mismatches is more resistant to NaCl inhibition and has a slower dissociation rate as compared to the nonspecific binding to complementary DNA sequences. Our data support the idea that MSH1 plays a role in eliminating biosynthetic errors and homeologous recombination in mitochondrial genome by recognizing premutagenic DNA mismatches.
Quasi-one-dimensional dynamics and nematic phases in the two-dimensional Emery model

We consider the Emery model of a Cu-O plane of the high-temperature superconductors. We show that in a strong-coupling limit, with strong Coulomb repulsions between electrons on nearest-neighbor O sites, the electron dynamics is strictly one dimensional, and consequently a number of asymptotically exact results can be obtained concerning the electronic structure. In particular, we show that a nematic phase, which spontaneously breaks the point-group symmetry of the square lattice, is stable at low enough temperatures and strong enough coupling.
Topology Inference in Wireless Mesh Networks

In this paper, we tackle the problem of topology inference in wireless mesh networks and present a novel approach to reconstructing the logical network topology. Our approach is based on the social fingerprint, a short bit pattern computed for each node to characterize the link status of the local neighborhood of the node. To conserve the communication resource, social fingerprints are piggybacked to the gateway with a small probability. Based on the information embedded in the social fingerprints, the gateway first estimates the set of parameters defining a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that models the logical network topology, then infers the evolutions of the local and global network topologies. We have conducted extensive simulation to verify the performance of our approach in terms of "completeness" and "accuracy". The results indicate that our approach is very effective in topology inference.
Protein and Amino Acid Requirements and the Composition of Complementary Foods

In this paper, factorial models of the dietary requirements for protein, nitrogen and individual indispensable amino acids are developed from published information on the relationship between age and protein deposition and between protein (amino acid) intake and nitrogen balance. The results are used to develop recommendations on the protein-energy ratio and the amino acid pattern of the diet. As part of the development of the models, factors affecting dietary protein digestibility, bioavailability and efficiency of utilization are discussed. Over the age range of 6-24 mo the models predict a fall in the weight-specific protein and amino acid requirement that results almost entirely from the changes in the growth rate of the children. It is also concluded that the requirement for the maintenance of body protein equilibrium (so-called maintenance) changes little with age. This contrasts markedly with the relationship between age and energy requirements. The amino acid modeling implies that the optimum pattern of individual essential amino acids also changes only marginally across the age range considered in the report. The calculations of the dietary requirement for whole protein imply that achieving a minimum protein-energy ratio of 6.3% is desirable. The amount of protein needed from complementary foods for breast-fed children is discussed.
Sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor: a systematic review.

Objectives/Hypothesis Inflammatory pseudotumor is a benign idiopathic inflammatory process often misdiagnosed as an infection or neoplasm. This review analyzes all reported cases of sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor to date, and provides a framework for evaluation and management of this uncommon condition. Data Sources MEDLINE/PubMed database. Review Methods A search for articles related to sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor, along with bibliographies of those articles, was performed. Demographics, presentation, radiographic findings, treatment, follow-up, and outcome were analyzed. Results Thirty-three articles were reviewed, including a total of 87 patients. The most common presenting symptom was vision change (58.6%). Sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor was found in the cavernous sinus in 46.0% of cases. The lesion appeared isointense (66.7% of cases) and homogeneously enhancing on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereas it appeared hypointense on T2-weighted MRI in 90.7% of cases. Inflammatory pseudotumor appeared hyperdense on computed tomography in 78.9% of cases. Histopathological analysis of biopsied specimens revealed presence of inflammatory cells (94.4%) and fibrosis (80.3%). Corticosteroids alone were the most common treatment modality (55.2%), resulting in disease-free patients in 22.9% of cases over a median follow-up period of 17.6 months. Surgical management alone was uncommon (8.0%), but showed high success rate (57.1%). Conclusion This review is the most comprehensive analysis of sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor to date. Radiologic findings and histopathological analysis are essential for diagnosis. Corticosteroids are the most common treatment modality. Surgery, although uncommon, appears to be an efficacious treatment modality. Level of Evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 125:813–821, 2015
An Example of an Elementary School Paraprofessional-Implemented Functional Analysis and Intervention:

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act mandates the performance of functional assessment for students with severe behavior problems. A functional analysis can be one part of this process b...
Anisotropic paramagnetic susceptibility of RBa2Cu3O7 − x due to the crystalline electric field: Point charge calculations☆

Magnetic susceptibility measurements of RBa2Cu3O7 − x (where R ≡ rare earth ion) indicate that these compounds are paramagnetic above Tc. When R  Dy, Er or Nd, there appears to be a considerable degree of anisotropy in the magnetic susceptibility between the c axis and the a-b plane. This property may help align these compounds in external magnetic fields. The nature and extent of this anisotropy is of major theoretical interest. In this paper, we report on calculations of the magnetic susceptibility in the paramagnetic regime of the RBa2Cu3O7 − x (where R  Dy, Er and Nd and 0 < x < 1). The point charge model was employed utilizing the Stevens operator equivalents. The calculations show that the crystalline field acting on the 4f electrons of the rare earth ions plays a reasonable role in modifying the susceptibility to temperatures up to 300 K. The susceptibility was also found to be anisotropic. The crystal field coefficients evaluated from the point charge model appear to be consistent with experimental results for R  Dy, Er and Nd and for oxygen stoichiometry between 6 and 7.
Broad bandwidth double-trench waveguides in silicon-on-insulator photonic crystal slabs

We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the waveguiding properties of the novel design of channel waveguides in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic crystal slabs. It is known that the channel waveguides defined by a missing of one row of holes in a triangular-lattice photonic crystal are characterized by a very narrow transmission bandwidth limited by large group velocity dispersion. In order to increase the bandwidth we investigate an alternative design, where the conventional single-mode strip waveguide is embedded into a photonic crystal slab -- a so-called double-trench waveguide. Such a design is intended to combine the best features of photonic crystal slabs, such as suppression of radiation losses at bends and imperfections, with broad bandwidth and small group velocity dispersion. We report the successful demonstration of this broad-bandwidth photonic crystal waveguide with propagation losses as low as 35 dB/cm, which are among the lowest reported in the literature. Furthermore, we found that the modes of positive (quasi-TE) and negative (quasi-TM) parity significantly interact in our structures due to the absence of the oxide layer on top of the SOI slab and the resulting asymmetry. As a result of this interaction multiple mini-stopbands appear in the areas of anti-crossing of the positive and negative parity modes. The results are successfully modeled by the plane-wave calculations confirming the nature of the experimentally observed mini-stopbands. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of the effects of asymmetry on the transmission characteristics of the photonic crystal slabs.
Time limitations in the reversal by citrovorum factor of methotrexate-induced immunosuppression in mice.

Abstract Methotrexate was found to inhibit both the complement-dependent and the complement-independent cellular cytotoxicity of spleen cells from mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes. The inhibition was essentially complete when a single dose of 100 mg/kg (about one-half the ld 50 ) was given 2 days after antigen administration, and the response was measured on day 4. Recovery from this inhibition was incomplete on days 5–7 and complete on day 14. The inhibition measured on day 4 could be partially prevented by citrovorum factor (200 mg/kg), but only if this compound was administered 1–5 hr before methotrexate. In contrast, the residual inhibition measured during recovery, on day 7, was completely reversed if citrovorum factor was injected even as late as 6 hr after methotrexate on day 2. The data suggest that protection of the majority of the rapidly proliferating, antigen-stimulated, spleen lymphoid cells from the effects of methotrexate can be provided only by preloading these cells with citrovorum factor.
Statistical simulation of the influence of the NAO on European winter surface temperatures: Applications to phenological modeling

[1] We develop a modeling framework to investigate the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on phenological variability in Europe through its influence on the distribution of wintertime synoptic-scale surface temperature variability. The approach employs an eigendecomposition of NCEP daily winter surface temperature estimates from the latter twentieth century to represent the spatial structure in the surface temperature field. The subset of statistically significant principal components are modeled as first-order autoregressive AR(1) processes, while the residual variance is modeled as spatially uncorrelated AR(1) noise. For those principal component time series that exhibit a statistically significant seasonal relationship with the NAO index, the parameters of the AR(1) model are conditioned on the phase (“high,” “neutral,” or “low”) of the NAO. This allows for realistic simulations of synoptic scale surface temperature variability over Europe as it is influenced by the NAO index. The model is applied to the simulation of trends in growing degree days (GDD) over Europe where simulated GDD variations are shown to agree well with growing degrees days from the data and evidence from available phenological records. Preliminary application of this model to a climate change scenario involving an increasing NAO 50 years into the future suggests the potential for a continued advancement of the start of the growing season.
Chordal relocation for repair of anterior mitral leaflet flail: a reproducible option

Repair of anterior mitral leaflet (AML) flail is considered to be among the more technically challenging mitral procedures. While neochord reconstruction is an excellent technique, sizing challenges may limit wide reproducibility. Chordal relocation of secondary or tertiary AML chords can minimize sizing imprecision in open or minimally invasive repair while providing patients with a safe, durable and reproducible option. Native chords can be readily released and re-implanted from positions in the body of the leaflet to provide primary AML support, provided there is preservation of ipsilateral papillary muscle alignment. We illustrate the sole use of this reproducible method to repair AML flail.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation pulse duration and maximum tolerated muscle torque

AbstractNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a physical therapy intervention used to treat muscle weakness. NMES-elicited forces during therapy are correlated with strength gains. Patient discomfort limits NMES-elicited forces potentially compromising strength gains and the efficacy of this invention. The purpose of this study was to determine if NMES containing two different electrical stimulation pulse durations (200 or 500 μs) affected the knee extensor muscle torques subjects tolerated. Other NMES characteristics were identical in the two conditions: monophasic square-wave pulses; 75 pulses per second; and electrical stimulation train duration of one second. The primary dependent variable of interest was the percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) tolerated. The two pulse duration conditions were tested during a single session on the opposing lower extremities of 15 subjects. Subjects tolerated 49.3 ± 18.7% of MVIC torques in the 500-μs condition versus 44.5 ± 17.9% of M...
Transition metal ions at the crossroads of mucosal immunity and microbial pathogenesis

Transition metal ions are essential micronutrients for all living organisms. In mammals, these ions are often protein-bound and sequestered within cells, limiting their availability to microbes. Moreover, in response to infection, mammalian hosts further reduce the availability of metal nutrients by activating epithelial cells and recruiting neutrophils, both of which release metal-binding proteins with antimicrobial function. Microorganisms, in turn, have evolved sophisticated systems to overcome these limitations and acquire the metal ions essential for their growth. Here we review some of the mechanisms employed by the host and by pathogenic microorganisms to compete for transition metal ions, with a discussion of how evading “nutritional immunity” benefits pathogens. Furthermore, we provide new insights on the mechanisms of host-microbe competition for metal ions in the mucosa, particularly in the inflamed gut.
Experimenting with politics

In his 1909 presidential address to the American Political Science Association, A. Lawrence Lowell ( 1 ) advised the then-fledgling discipline against following the natural scientists into greater use of experimental designs. This attitude toward experiments was still dominant at the end of the World War II, when political scientists were using increasingly intricate statistical methods to characterize relationships, but still ran few experiments. The tide began to turn in the 1980s, when scholars started to integrate the accumulated knowledge of traditional political science with the theoretical approaches of psychology and economics. This trend generated more acute causal predictions, which, along with technological developments, led political scientists to increasingly turn to experiments. Today, experiments are often the preferred method to explain the causes and consequences of political behaviors ( 2 ).
Prevention of low back pain in sedentary healthy workers: a pilot study.

Abstract Introduction Low back pain (LBP) is the second most frequent neuromuscular ailment among Americans and third reason for physician visits by older people. Although remedies have been reported to palliate LBP, there is no effective prevention. We performed this one-year pilot study to determine if daily intervention of mild home exercises, focused on conditioning muscles maintaining upright 2-legged balance, prevented LBP. Methods University of Louisville hospital and research lab volunteer employees with no history of chronic back pain were randomized after informed consent. Subjects were divided into 2 statistically similar groups, control and intervention. LBP episodes were recorded and compared over the 1-year period. Medical, blood chemistry, spirometric and clinical examinations were done on all volunteers twice, at beginning and end of the trial period. A set of 6 calisthenics, focusing on balance-control, low-back-connected musculature, was taught to the intervention group over 2 months. A matched control group was observed and examined only. Exercises, performed daily, required 15 minutes. Results In this pilot study, LBP was completely prevented in intervention group (0 of 13), whereas nearly 60% of controls (10 of 17) experienced back pain in 1 year. Intervention group showed significant improvement in strengths of balance-controlling muscles; control group showed no change. Exercises yielded an unexpected fitness benefit ofraising automatic respiratory exchange. Conclusions This pilot study suggests that LBP can be prevented in 50-year-old healthy working persons by daily, mild home calisthenics that improve balance-muscle strength. We hypothesize that improved respiratory function may be related to improved posture.
Ahemeral Photoperiods for Chicken Hens

Abstract The effects of ahemeral lighting on egg production, egg quality, egg size, feed efficiency, and mortality were studied. Treatments consisted of light (L) and dark (D) cycles in hours as follows: (1) L14-D10, (2) L16-D10, (3) L18-D10, (4) L20-D10. Light intensity ranged from 11-21 lumens/sq. m. in each pen area. There were four pens of 100 S.C. White Leghorn pullets, 20 weeks old at start, on each treatment. Treatments 3 and 4 resulted in significantly (P
A variable mechanical optical attenuator

A new design of a variable mechanical optical attenuator is proposed in this paper. Mechanical attenuators are extensively important in designing optical communication systems. It is also highly used in testing and training purposes. The design consists a novel fiber optic splitter-combiner setup. Each branch of the splitter meets a specific branch of the combiner. A fixed distanced multi-window rotary wheel slides between them. Upon rotation the light is either blocked or allowed to pass from a splitter branch to a combiner branch. By changing the number of open gates, the amount of yielded light can be controlled. There is only one moving part. So, the design is easy to manufacture, use or repair. The basic design and work flow is explained. The formula for calculating the attenuation and calibration guideline is also discussed. Then the design is compared with the other design standards based on the areas of application. The possible effects of linear and non-linear properties of light is also discussed. The primary concerns that should be taken if this design is to be fabricated in photonic integrated circuits is also mentioned briefly.
Acquisition and application of new medical knowledge by anesthesiologists: three recent examples.

Studies of dissemination of innovations in medical practice can help us understand the communication of new medical findings and improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of medical care. This study describes and analyzes dissemination of three medical findings and associated changes in clinical practice among 354 anesthesiologists in Massachusetts. The three findings dealt with potential hazards of subancsthctic concentrations of anesthetic gases (Item 1), problems caused by diffusion of nitrous oxide into body cavities (Item 2), and increased blood loss during therapeutic abortion with halothane anesthesia (Item 3). Nearly all anesthesiologists who responded to the survey were aware of these findings, but patterns of dissemination were quite different. For Item 1, but not for Items 2 or 3, there was marked acceleration in spread of awareness following initial publication of the findings. By 1976, 17 of every 20 anesthesiologists for whom the findings were relevant had changed practice because of Items 1 and 3, but only 13 of 20 had changed in response to Item 2. The average delay between awareness and change in practice was much greater for Item I than for Items 2 and 3. Journal articles were a dominant source of information only for Item 1. For all items, continuing education courses were a source of information significantly less often than were colleagues or published papers. Anesthesiologists were equally likely to change practice in response to a new finding whether they learned the information from published papers, colleagues or continuing education courses. Board-certified anesthesiologists tended more than others to rely on papers, and younger anesthesiologists tended more than the older to be influenced by information from colleagues.
Anatomy of an Orogen

Mapping a strip of 15′ quadrangles across the northern Coast Ranges of California by student colleagues and myself has resulted in the development of a model for the origin and emplacement of the Franciscan complex and its relation to the coeval Great Valley sequence that differs from earlier models. Rocks of both Franciscan and Great Valley are predominantly graywacke, silty mudstone, and local conglomerate. Most of the Great Valley rocks are graded, and bottom markings are common; these features are present but not characteristic of the Franciscan rocks. Franciscan graywacke and silty mudstone tend to be broken and sheared, or chaotically deformed. The chaotic zones typically contain exotic blocks, mostly of ophiolitic rocks, but also blue-schist, mica schist, metagraywacke, and blocks similar to the enclosing sheared matrix. These chaotic units are best characterized as melanges. Within the Franciscan complex, mappable units have been defined, based on lithology of matrix and content of exotic blocks. The units dip and face easterly and are oldest to the east (Tithonian or older for the South Fork Mountain Schist). Progressively younger rocks occur down section to the west; the youngest are the Coastal Facies largely of Eocene age. The probable origin involves deposition of Franciscan sediments in a trench, followed by thrusting of the sediments against and under the landward side of the trench, while the axis of the trench migrated progressively westward. The process began in Tithonian time, slowed during Late Cretaceous, and ceased in the Eocene. Models are suggested for the formation of melanges during sedimentation and underthrusting. Each melange unit contains a unique assemblage of exotic blocks. It is suggested that these assemblages in part reflect the lithology of the basement rocks on which the sediments were deposited. If true, the composition of the basement varied from dominantly ophiolite-suite rocks to dominantly blueschist. A melange of ophiolite blocks also formed, the basement beneath a part of the Great Valley sediments. Samples of radiolarian chert from the ophiolite suite throughout the Franciscan were determined to be of Tithonian age by Emile Pessagno. If the ophiolite represents ocean floor, formed at a spreading ridge, the ridge must have been located adjacent to the trench in Tithonian time; after the Tithonian, no oceanic rocks were added to the Franciscan pile. A diapiric origin for the Tithonian ophiolite is suggested. Northwest-trending isolated slabs of Great Valley—type rocks and of shallow-water to continental coal-bearing clastic rocks of Cretaceous to Miocene age are scattered within the Franciscan complex. Evidence is presented that these were deposited in separate, probably fault-controlled basins, developed on the surface of the tectonically active Franciscan complex during and following underthrusting. They do not appear to represent a klippen of a Coast Range thrust fault, as has been suggested by others.
Biomimetic Synthesis of Marine Natural Products

The biosynthetic pathways to many halogenated marine natural products are based on bromonium ion initiated cyclisation reactions. We have shown that a bromonium ion initiated cyclisation reaction can be employed as the basis of a synthesis of 10-bromo-α-chamigrene from geranyl acetone in four steps. The stereochemistry of the product appears to be identical to that of a sample prepared from a natural product.
Structure and transcription of a human gene for H1 RNA, the RNA component of human RNase P

The gene coding for H1 RNA, the RNA component of human RNase P, has been isolated and characterized from a human genomic DNA library. The sequence corresponding to the mature H1 RNA is almost identical to that previously identified using H1 RNA and a cDNA clone corresponding to it. The nucleotide sequence of the genomic clone contains an array of potential transcriptional control elements, some characteristic of transcription by RNA polymerase III and some characteristic of RNA polymerase II, as is also the case for U6 and certain other small stable RNAs. The transcription in vitro of the genomic clone shows that the gene is functional and is transcribed by RNA polymerase III. Southern hybridization analysis indicates that there is very likely only one copy of the gene for H1 RNA in the human genome.
Capillary porosity depercolation in cement-based materials: Measurement techniques and factors which influence their interpretation

The connectivity of the capillary porosity in cement-based materials impacts fluid-and-ion transport and thus material durability, the interpretation of experimental measurements such as chemical shrinkage, and the timing and duration of curing operations. While several methods have been used to assess the connectivity of the capillary pores, the interpretation of some experimental procedures can be complicated by the addition of certain chemical admixtures. This paper assesses capillary porosity depercolation in cement pastes using measurements of chemical shrinkage, low temperature calorimetry (LTC), and electrical impedance spectroscopy. The experimental results are analyzed to identify the time of capillary porosity depercolation. In addition, the factors that influence the interpretation of each technique are discussed. Experimental evidence suggests that capillary porosity depercolation, as defined by Powers, occurs after hydration has reduced the capillary porosity to around 20% in cement paste systems. The influence of capillary porosity depercolation on the transport properties is demonstrated in terms of a reduction in the electrical conductivity of the cementitious material. Special attention is paid to understand and interpret the influence of shrinkage-reducing admixtures (SRAs) on the freezing behavior of cementitious systems, particularly in regard to the inapplicability of using LTC to detect porosity depercolation in cement pastes containing such organic admixtures.
The responses of animals inhaling nitrogen dioxide for single, short-term exposures.

Abstract Rats and dogs were exposed for single 5- to 60-minute periods to various concentrations of NO2. Changes in lung to body weight ratios of rats correlated directly with the severity of exposure to NO2. The kidney to body weight ratios of rats, the hematocrits, and blood platelet counts of dogs were of little or no value in evaluating the severity of NO2 exposures. Dogs had only mild toxic signs at NO2 concentrations which caused pulmonary edema in rats. Based on lung to body weight ratios of rats, the responses of dogs, and the pathological changes found in exposed animals, the threshold concentrations of NO2 found were 104, 65, and 28 ppm for 5, 15, and 60 minutes, respectively.
AIDS, People who Use Drugs, and Altruism: Reflection on a Personal Image

Persons who use drugs, particularly persons who develop dependence on drugs, are among the most stigmatized groups in our society. Part of this stigmatization is the socially constructed and often ...
Comparison of angular interpolation approaches in few-view tomography using statistical hypothesis testing

In this work we examine the accuracy of four periodic interpolation methods--circular sampling theorem interpolation, zero-padding interpolation, periodic spline interpolation, and linear interpolation with periodic boundary conditions--for the task of interpolating additional projections in a few-view sinogram. We generated 100 different realizations each of two types of numerical phantom--Shepp-Logan and breast--by randomly choosing the parameters that specify their constituent ellipses. Corresponding sinograms of 128 bins X 1024 angles were computed analytically and subsampled to 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 views. Each subsampled sinogram was interpolated to 1024 views by each of the methods under consideration and the normalized root-mean-square-error (NRMSE) with respect to the true 1024-view sinogram computed. In addition, images were reconstructed from the interpolated sinograms by FBP and the NRMSE with respect to the true phantom computed. The non-parametric signed rank test was then used to assess the statistical significance of the pairwise differences in mean NRMSE among the interpolation methods for the various conditions: phantom family (Shepp-logan or breast), number of measured views (16, 32, 64, 128, 256, or 512), and endpoint (sinogram or image). Periodic spline interpolation was found to be superior to the others in a statistically significant way for virtually every condition.
Metastable states of the repinned charge-density wave and the approach to equilibrium.

By studying the relaxation of the resistance of Ta${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ before and after depinning of the chargedensity wave, we have investigated the metastability of the repinned state. We determine the flow pattern around the repinned state and deduce the structure around the true equilibrium state. The existence of two distinct routes to equilibrium and a selection rule is demonstrated.
Pharmacokinetics of the Dietary Supplement Creatine

Creatine is a nonessential dietary component that, when supplemented in the diet, has shown physiological benefits in athletes, in animal-based models of disease and in patients with various muscle, neurological and neuromuscular disease. The clinical relevance of creatine supplementation is based primarily on its role in ATP generation, and cells may be able to better handle rapidly changing energy demands with supplementation. Although the pharmacological outcome measures of creatine have been investigated, the behaviour of creatine in the blood and muscle is still not fully understood. Creatine is most probably actively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in a similar way to amino acids and peptides. The distribution of creatine throughout the body is largely determined by the presence of creatine transporters. These transporters not only serve to distribute creatine but serve as a clearance mechanism because of creatine 'trapping' by skeletal muscle. Besides the pseudo-irreversible uptake by skeletal muscle, creatine clearance also depends on renal elimination and degradation to creatinine. Evidence suggests that creatine pharmacokinetics are nonlinear with respect to dose size and frequency. Skeletal muscle, the largest depot of creatine, has a finite capacity to store creatine. As such, when these stores are saturated, both volume of distribution and clearance can decrease, thus leading to complex pharmacokinetic situations. Additionally, other dietary components such as caffeine and carbohydrate can potentially affect pharmacokinetics by their influence on the creatine transporter. Disease and age may also affect the pharmacokinetics, but more information is needed. Overall, there are very limited pharmacokinetic data available for creatine, and further studies are needed to define absorption characteristics, clearance kinetics and the effect of multiple doses. Additionally, the relationship between plasma creatine and muscle creatine needs to be elucidated to optimise administration regimens.
HLH106, A DROSOPHILA STEROL REGULATORY ELEMENT-BINDING PROTEIN IN A NATURAL CHOLESTEROL AUXOTROPH

Abstract In mammalian cells, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) coordinate metabolic flux through the cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthetic pathways in response to intracellular cholesterol levels. We describe experiments that evaluate the functional equivalence of mammalian SREBPs and the insect homologue of SREBP-1a, HLH106, in both mammalian and insect cell culture systems. HLH106 binds to both palindromic E-boxes and direct repeat sterol regulatory elements (SREs) efficiently, suggesting that it has a dual DNA binding specificity similar to the mammalian proteins. The amino-terminal “mature” protein activates transcription from mammalian SREs in both mammalian and Drosophila tissue culture cells. Additionally, HLH106 also requires a ubiquitous regulatory co-activator to efficiently activate transcription from mammalian SREs. These properties are shared with its mammalian counterparts. When expressed in mammalian cells, the carboxyl-terminal portion also localizes to perinuclear membranes similar to mammalian SREBPs. Furthermore, membrane-bound HLH106 is proteolytically processed in response to intracellular sterol levels in mammalian cells in an SREBP cleavage-activating protein-stimulated fashion. The presence of an SREBP homologue in Drosophilawhose processing is regulated by intracellular sterol levels when expressed in mammalian cells suggests that related processing machinery exists in insect cells. This is notable, since insects are reportedly incapable of de novo sterol biosynthesis.
Enhancement of new vessel formation by angiopoietin-2/Tie2 signaling in endothelial progenitor cells: a new hope for future therapy?

See article by Kim et al. [6] (pages 394−402) in this issue. The Tie2/angiopoietin pathway is crucial for angiogenesis, blood vessel maturation, and vascular endothelial integrity. The ligands for Tie2 are the angiopoietins, of which angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and Ang2 have been the most studied. Suppression of plasma leakage, inhibition of vascular inflammation, and prevention of endothelial death are the three widely accepted vascular protective functions for Ang1 [1], the first ligand identified for the Tie2 receptor. However, the role of Ang2, a relative of Ang1 identified by homology screening, remains less clear, because Ang2 exhibits context-dependent behavior. Ang2 can inhibit or stimulate Tie2 receptor phosphorylation under different experimental conditions [2]. Ang2 in vivo acts as a Tie2 antagonist on vascular endothelial cells (ECs), whereas it acts as a Tie2 agonist on lymphatic vessels [3]. Recently, increased Ang2 expression was demonstrated in myocardial ischemia and infarction [4,5], indicating the role of Ang2 in the angiogenic response to tissue ischemia. In this issue of Cardiovascular Research , Kim et al. [6] report a proangiogenic activity of Ang2 in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) directly through the Tie2 signaling pathway. Ang2 increased tube formation, migration, and cell survival of EPCs derived from human umbilical cord … *Division of Cardiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 2833 2211; fax: +886 2 2836 5775. Email address: shyukg{at}ms12.hinet.net
The incorporation of [5,6-13C2]Nicotinic acid into the tobacco alkaloids examined by the use of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract [5,6-14C,13C2]Nicotinic acid was prepared from [14C,13C]methyl iodide via nitromethane, 2-nitroacetaldehyde oxime, 3-nitroquinoline, 3-aminoquinoline, and quinoline in 20% overall yield. Administration of this material to Nicotiana tabacum and N. glauca afforded labeled anabasine, anatabine, nicotine, and nornicotine. Qualitative and quantitative incorporation (0.07–4.5% specific incorporation) was determined by radioactive assay and by examination of the 13C NMR spectra of these alkaloids. Satellites due to spin-spin coupling of the incorporated contiguous 13C atoms were observed at the resonances due to C-5 and C-6 in anabasine, nicotine, and nornicotine. In anatabine, satellites were found at C-5, C-6, C-5′, and C-6′.
Global existence of smooth solutions and stability of solitary waves for a generalized Boussinesq equation

Certain generalizations of one of the classical Boussinesq-type equations, $$u_{tt} = u_{xx} - (u^2 + u_{xx} )_{xx} $$ are considered. It is shown that the initial-value problem for this type of equation is always locally well posed. It is also determined that the special, solitary-wave solutions of these equations are nonlinearly stable for a range of their phase speeds. These two facts lead to the conclusion that initial data lying relatively close to a stable solitary wave evolves into a global solution of these equations. This contrasts with the results of blow-up obtained recently by Kalantarov and Ladyzhenskaya for the same type of equation, and casts additional light upon the results for the original version (*) of this class of equations obtained via inverse-scattering theory by Deift, Tomei and Trubowitz.
Long term survival in acute myeloid leukemia: the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) experience.

Abstract A retrospective analysis of two ECOG adult AML trials conducted from 1976 to 1983 was carried out focusing on long term disease-free survival. This report summarizes the data on 545 patients with a minimum follow up of 7 1 2 years. The complete remission rate was 57% with an estimated cure rate of 12%. Of several prognostic variables examined only FAB type M3 (promyelocytic leukemia) was statistically significant (estimated cure rate of 33% vs 9% for other FAB subtypes).
Effect of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Serum Lipids of Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Objective To study the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on lipid levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Design A randomized, placebo-controlled prospective trial of UDCA was conducted in 177 well-characterized patients with PBC. Material and Methods The two treatment groups (placebo and UDCA) were matched at entry with respect to age, sex, histologic stage of PBC, biochemical values, and serum lipid levels. Serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured at entry, 1 year, and 2 years. Results The decrease in total cholesterol level at 1 and 2 years in the UDCA-treated group was significant in comparison with that in the placebo group. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, however, were unchanged. No severe side effects from UDCA were noted. The changes in serum cholesterol levels at 2 years were directly and strongly correlated with changes in serum bilirubin concentrations ( r = 0.70; P r = −0.86; P Conclusion The cholesterol-lowering effect of UDCA could be related to amelioration of the underlying liver disease or to a direct effect of the drug on the metabolism of cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Brachial vs. Central Systolic Pressure and Pulse Wave Transmission Indicators: A Critical Analysis

This critique is intended to provide background for the reader to evaluate the relative clinical utilities of brachial cuff systolic blood pressure (SBP) and its derivatives, including pulse pressure, central systolic pressure, central augmentation index (AI), and pulse pressure amplification (PPA). The critical question is whether the newer indicators add sufficient information to justify replacing or augmenting brachial cuff blood pressure (BP) data in research and patient care. Historical context, pathophysiology of variations in pulse wave transmission and reflection, issues related to measurement and model errors, statistical limitations, and clinical correlations are presented, along with new comparative data. Based on this overview, there is no compelling scientific or practical reason to replace cuff SBP with any of the newer indicators in the vast majority of clinical situations. Supplemental value for central SBP may exist in defining patients with exaggerated PPA ("spurious systolic hypertension"), managing cardiac and aortic diseases, and in studies of cardiovascular drugs, but there are no current standards for these possibilities.
Effect of white noise on bar-press rate in rats

White noise was paired with food reinforcement for lever-press. Each of four groups received one intensity of sound; the fifth group was given no sound. Results indicate that response rate is a positive function of sound intensity. Extinction data show that response-contingent sound in conjunction with food reinforcement exerts its influence on performance rather than learning. Similarities between reinforcement-complex intensity and SD intensity were pointed out. It was suggested that both are subject to the laws of stimulus intensity dynamism.
Non-viral systemic delivery of siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides targeted to Jun N-terminal kinase 1 prevents cellular hypoxic damage.

Many pathological conditions and environmental impacts lead to the development of severe tissue hypoxia that aggravates the primary disorder, provokes cell death, and limits the patient’s recovery. We hypothesized that suppression of Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) will limit tissue damage induced by severe hypoxia. To test the hypothesis, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to JNK1 mRNA were incorporated or complexed with neutral or cationic liposomes, respectively, and administered systemically to mice prior to hypoxia exposure. The animals were placed in a special chamber ventilated with room air (normoxia) or a gas mixture containing 6% O2 and 94% N2 (hypoxia). Liposomes, ASO, and siRNA were found to accumulate in the lungs, kidney, spleen, and heart. Only trace amounts of liposomes and their payloads (ASO and siRNA) were found in the brain. The down regulation of JNK1 protein limited activation of cell death signal, apoptotic, and necrotic tissue damage under hypoxic conditions. Consequently, we were able to verify our hypothesis and provide proof of concept of a unique approach to the prevention of cellular hypoxic damage by the suppression of JNK1 signaling pathways after the efficient delivery of ASO or siRNA.
Reflective tomography: images from range-resolved laser radar measurements

Methode tomographique appliquee a des series de mesures a une dimension effectuees par radar laser a partir d'une cible en forme de cone
Minimizing Power and Skew in VLSI-SoC Clocking with Pulsed Resonance Driven De-skewing Latches

An energy recovering scheme for 40% savings in clocking power with 40% driver active area reduction is demonstrated. A new resonant driver that generates tracking pulses at each transition of clock for dual edge operation across scaled frequencies is proposed. Pulsed resonant (PR) clocking is designed to drive explicit-pulsed negative setup time latches. Simulations using 45nm IBM/PTM device and interconnect models, clocking 1024 flip-flops show the reductions, compared to non-resonant clocking, operating from 2GHz/1.3V to 200MHz/0.5V. The PR frequency is set >3x the clock rate, needing only 1/10th the inductance of previously integrated LC resonance. Skew reductions are achieved without needing to increase the interconnect widths owing to negative set-up times.
Inhibition of collagenase breakdown of equine corneas by tetanus antitoxin, equine serum and acetylcysteine

Objective To determine whether tetanus antitoxin, equine serum, and acetylcysteine, which are currently used in the treatment of equine corneal ulcer, inhibit the digestion of equine corneal collagen when exposed to collagenase in vitro. Animals studied Corneas from 40 adult horses. Procedures Sections of equine corneas were incubated with saline, a solution of bacterial collagenase in saline, bacterial collagenase in saline plus equine tetanus antitoxin, bacterial collagenase in saline plus equine serum, or bacterial collagenase in saline plus acetylcysteine. Each one of the collagenase inhibitors was tested at different concentrations. The degree of corneal collagen digestion was determined by concentrations of hydroxyproline released into the incubation media and/or by weight loss of the cornea. Results Corneas exposed to collagenase released a significant (0.05 level) large amount of hydroxyproline (43.1 ± 2.3 µg/mL/100 mg cornea/5 h) and decreased cornea weight by up to 89%. Blood serum (200 µL/mL), purified albumin or globulin fractions of serum, tetanus antitoxin (120 units/mL), and acetylcysteine (20 mg/mL) when used at the highest concentrations blocked collagenase digestive activity by approximately 50%. Dilution of inhibitors decreased corneal protection and linearly increased corneal weight loss. Purified equine serum albumin and globulin fractions were equally effective in protecting corneas. Conclusions This experiment indicates that tetanus antitoxin, serum and acetylcysteine equally protected corneas from collagenase digestion, in vitro. However, a clinical trial is needed to establish relative therapeutic value.
Effects of advancing pregnancy on left ventricular function during bicycle exercise

Abstract Pregnancy is associated with increased heart rate, stroke volume and blood volume, and reduced systemic vascular resistance. 1 These major cardiovascular changes are accompanied by an increase in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension without a corresponding increase in LV wall thickness. 2 Rigorous bicycle exercise does not compromise LV function during the second half of pregnancy. 3 Stroke volume can increase by an increase in either contractile or preload reserve, or both. This study examines the mechanisms by which stroke volume was maintained during strenuous exercise early and late in gestation.