cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hiding the phase: the filling of the slope discrepancy Hilbert space

Previous theoretical work, to first order, demonstrated that branch points are markers for photons carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), but gave to indication of the flux associated with a given branch point distribution. In a parallel effort, the OAM flux as a ratio of the total flux is calculated, but that work relies on knowing the non-zero elements in the slope discrepancy Hilbert space. Here, we calculate the “size” of the slope discrepancy Hilbert space for our previously published data.
Assessment of DNA double-strand breaks and γH2AX induced by the topoisomerase II poisons etoposide and mitoxantrone

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly deleterious DNA lesions as they lead to chromosome aberrations and/or apoptosis. The formation of nuclear DSBs triggers phosphorylation of histone H2AX on Ser-139 (defined as gammaH2AX), which participates in the repair of such DNA damage. Our aim was to compare the induction of gammaH2AX in relation to DSBs induced by topoisomerase II (TOPO II) poisons, etoposide (ETOP) and mitoxantrone (MXT), in V79 cells. DSBs were measured by the neutral comet assay, while gammaH2AX was quantified using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Stabilized cleavage complexes (SCCs), lesions thought to be responsible for TOPO II poison-induced genotoxicity, were measured using a complex of enzyme-DNA assay. In the case of ETOP, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and lowest observed effect level (LOEL) for genotoxicity was determined; gammaH2AX levels paralleled DSBs at all concentrations but significant DNA damage was not detected below 0.5 microg/ml. Furthermore, DNA damage was dependent on the formation of SCCs. In contrast, at low MXT concentrations (0.0001-0.001 microg/ml), induction of gammaH2AX was not accompanied by increases in DSBs. Rather, DSBs were only significantly increased when SCCs were detected. These findings suggest MXT-induced genotoxicity occurred via at least two mechanisms, possibly related to DNA intercalation and/or redox cycling as well as TOPO II inhibition. Our findings also indicate that gammaH2AX can be induced by DNA lesions other than DSBs. In conclusion, gammaH2AX, when measured using immunocytochemical and flow cytometric methods, is a sensitive indicator of DNA damage and may be a useful tool in genetic toxicology screens. ETOP data are consistent with the threshold concept for TOPO II poison-induced genotoxicity and this should be considered in the safety assessment of chemicals displaying an affinity for TOPO II and genotoxic/clastogenic effects.
Heat transfer in a chemically reacting system (nitrogen tetroxide-dioxide)

The effect of chemical reaction on heat transfer was investigated analytically for the dissociating system N2O4 2NO2 in turbulent pipe flow. The Reynolds, Colburn, and Deissler analogies were adapted to reacting systems to determine local values of h′/h, the ratio of the heat transfer coefficient for a reacting system to that for the same system under frozen nonreacting conditions. The coefficient h′ was determined by using effective thermal conductivities and heat capacities composed of a frozen and a reacting contribution. The equations for the effective properties, derived in this paper from heat transfer considerations, are in agreement with those developed from thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The effective properties vary significantly with temperature. Hence, the adaptation of Deissler's analogy, which was originally developed to consider the radial variation of physical properties across the pipe radius for an inert system, would be expected to give the most reliable results in this reacting system. In the range of variables studied it is found that the heat transfer coefficient for a reacting system may be as much as eighteen times the coefficient for a similar, frozen system. The results from the approximate Reynolds and Colburn analogies, which are evaluated by the use of mean physical properties, yield maximum values of h′/h of about 9. The study covers a Reynolds number range of 10,000 to 200,000 and tube wall temperatures of 300° to 370°K.
Strehl ratio for primary aberrations in terms of their aberration variance

The Strehl ratio for imaging systems with circular and annular pupils aberrated by primary aberrations is considered in terms of the variance σΦ2 of the phase aberration across the pupil. Classical as well as balanced (Zernike) aberrations are considered. By comparing the actual numerical results with the approximate ones, we find that exp(−σΦ2) gives a better approximation for the Strehl ratio than does the Marechal formula. Whereas the Marechal formula underestimates the Strehl ratio, exp(−σΦ2) generally overestimates it, especially for annular pupils with a large obscuration.
Classification of infant vocalization.

SummaryA series of attempts to develop a behavioural classification system for use in a first stage analysis of infant vocalization data are reported. The data were cross-sectional and obtained from 11 different infants between the ages of 1 and 40 weeks. A set of terms and definitions were developed by two judges and their reliability assessed by having a third judge classify the data, using the terms and definitions in written form only. Implifications of the findings with respect to inter-judge agreement and disagreement and usefulness of system for further studies of infant vocalization are discussed.
Reframing and grounding nonhuman agency: what makes a fetus an agent?

Agency: The power of actors to operate independently of the determining constraints of social structure. The term is intended to convey the volitional, purposive nature of human activity as opposed to its constrained, determined aspects.—Harper Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 1991The concept that the fetus is a patient, an individual whose maladies are a proper subject for medical treatment as well as scientific observation, is alarmingly modern. It was not until the last half of this century that the prying eye of the ultrasonographer rendered the once opaque womb transparent, letting the light of scientific observation fall on the shy and secretive fetus.—M. R. Harrison“The Fetus as a Patient: Historical Perspective”
Limitations of cloud droplet size distribution by Backus-Gilbert inversion of optical scattering data

The feasibility of using the Backus-Gilbert inversion technique to recover size distributions of water droplets in clouds from laser scattering data is investigated. The set of multiparameter lidar returns that yields the best inversion is a polarized set taken at multiple scattering angles. For the type of distributions found in natural clouds, experimental noise effects are minimal, but the small size portion of the spectrum is not well recovered because of low scattered intensity and large spread in the recovery function’s resolution. However, recovery of precisely known, but less extensive distributions of cloud-sized water droplets is demonstrated for laboratory data.
Effects of chronic opioid exposure on guinea pig mu opioid receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells: comparison with human and rat receptor.

Abstract Chronic opioid treatment leads to agonist-specific effects at the mu opioid receptor. The molecular mechanisms resulting from chronic opioid exposure include desensitization, internalization and down-regulation of membrane-bound mu opioid receptors (MOP). The purpose of this study was to compare the cellular regulation of guinea pig, human and rat MOP expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, following exposure to two clinically important opioids, morphine and methadone. MOP expressing CHO cells were treated in culture with methadone or morphine for up to 48 h. Radioligand diprenorphine and [ d -AIa2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO)-stimulated GTPγS binding assays were carried out using paired control and opioid-exposed CHO cells. Methadone induced downregulation of the mu opioid receptor, while morphine induced desensitization of the receptor for all three species. Furthermore, morphine predominantly decreased the potency of DAMGO to stimulate GTPγS binding, whereas methadone primarily reduced its efficacy. Changes in DAMGO potency and efficacy differed among species and depended on the opioid used to treat the cells. Our results showed similarities between guinea pig and human MOP for morphine-induced desensitization, but identified differences between the two for methadone-induced desensitization. In contrast, human and rat MOP differed in response to morphine treatment, but were not distinct in their response to methadone treatment. The guinea pig is an excellent and established animal model to study opioid effects, but its molecular opioid pharmacology has not been investigated thus far. These results can assist in understanding species differences in the effects of opioid ligands activating the mu opioid receptor.
Microstrip Dipole Antennas On Electrically Thick Substrates

Printed circuit antennas are attractive radiation sources both at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. However, for millimeter wave applications where the substrate is likely to be electrically thick, it is important to understand the basic effects of a thick substrate on radiation characteristics. In particular, it is concluded here that dipole radiation properties become sensitive to loss as the substrate becomes thick. Furthermore, the efficiency of dipoles on thick substrates tends to be low, especially as the dielectric constant of the substrate increases. A method of improving both the efficiency and gain can be used for thick substrates however, which uses a superstrate layer on top of the antenna.
The role of GDNF in patterning the excretory system.

Mesenchymal–epithelial interactions are an important source of information for pattern formation during organogenesis. In the developing excretory system, one of the secreted mesenchymal factors thought to play a critical role in patterning the growth and branching of the epithelial ureteric bud is GDNF. We have tested the requirement for GDNF as a paracrine chemoattractive factor by altering its site of expression during excretory system development. Normally, GDNF is secreted by the metanephric mesenchyme and acts via receptors on the Wolffian duct and ureteric bud epithelium. Misexpression of GDNF in the Wolffian duct and ureteric buds resulted in formation of multiple, ectopic buds, which branched independently of the metanephric mesenchyme. This confirmed the ability of GDNF to induce ureter outgrowth and epithelial branching in vivo. However, in mutant mice lacking endogenous GDNF, kidney development was rescued to a substantial degree by GDNF supplied only by the Wolffian duct and ureteric bud. These results indicate that mesenchymal GDNF is not required as a chemoattractive factor to pattern the growth of the ureteric bud within the developing kidney, and that any positional information provided by the mesenchymal expression of GDNF may provide for renal branching morphogenesis is redundant with other signals.
The Mislin genus, phantom maps and classifying spaces

Abstract For a finite type, nilpotent space X , we prove that the cardinality of the set Ph( X , Y ), where Ph(−, −) denotes homotopy classes of phantom maps, depends only on the Mislin genus of X , at least if Y has countable higher homotopy groups. In the special case where X = BG , the classifying space of a 1-connected Lie group G , and Y is the iterated loop space of a 1-connected, finite CW-complex, we prove the stronger result that the isomorphism class of the group Ph( X , Y ) depends only on the Mislin genus of X . The latter strengthening depends on two results of independent interest 1. (i) Under a fairly mild connectivity condition on X , the torsionization of X , that is the homotopy fiber of a rationalization map X → X (0) , is a Mislin genus invariant; 2. (ii) the torsionization of BG , localized away from a prime p , is homotopy equivalent to the plus construction applied to a space of the form BΛ , where λ is a suitable locally finite, perfect (discrete) group.
Interdigital grids for dynamic astigmatism control in picture-tube guns

Astigmatism control of Coty-29 picture tubes has been achieved through the incorporation of interdigital grids in the gun-focus electrode. These grids produce quadrupolar fields so that the focusing induced in the beam's vertical ray by the self-convergent yoke is compensated, thus eliminating the vertical flare previously observed for deflecting spots. The utility of cross plots for studying astigmatic gun/yoke systems and for measuring gun and yoke astigmatism values has been demonstrated. Measurements on a number of tubes are described and the results are compared with formulas derived from paraxial equations. >
452 DIRECT DETERMINATION OF 17α-HYDROXYLASE (170Hase) DEFICIENCY IN A MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITE BY IN VITRO STUDIES OF TESTICULAR STEROID BIOSYNTHESIS

A 4 year old male (46XY) pseudohermaphrodite with 170Hase deficiency (Ped.Res.13:387A,1979) underwent bilateral orchiectomy 2 days after 3 days of HCG (2,000 u/day IM), during which serum levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone,androstenedione, 170H-progesterone (170HP) and estradiol did not increase while progesterone increased from 52 to 69 ng/dl. Teased testicular tissue was incubated with 10uCi (3.3 nmol) of 3H-pregnenolone or 3H-170HP in 3 ml NADP fortified KRB buffer, pH 7.4, for 3 hr. at 37°C with and without 100 IU/ml HCG. Thus the testes of this patient were unable to metabolize pregnenolone, but were able to metabolize 170HP. The data are consistent with deficiency of 170Hase activity.
Clean Streets: A Plea for Broad Educational Horizons

Author's Summary— The article presents certain reactions of American military personnel overseas toward various aspects of European life and culture. It seeks to emphasize a certain “intellectual blindness” or at least intolerance on the part of the American soldier. It calls for tolerance and eradication of provincialism on the part of teachers as means of broadening the educational horizons of our students.
Time-consistent approximations of risk-averse multistage stochastic optimization problems

In this paper we study the concept of time consistency as it relates to multistage risk-averse stochastic optimization problems on finite scenario trees. We use dynamic time-consistent formulations to approximate problems having a single coherent risk measure applied to the aggregated costs over all time periods. The dual representation of coherent risk measures is used to create a time-consistent cutting plane algorithm. Additionally, we also develop methods for the construction of universal time-consistent upper bounds, when the objective function is the mean-semideviation measure of risk. Our numerical results indicate that the resulting dynamic formulations yield close approximations to the original problem.
Failure is not an Option: Parental Expectations of Nigerian Voluntary Immigrants to the United States

The purpose of this study was to explore the socio-cultural and educational contexts of parental expectations of Nigerian voluntary immigrants to the United States. Immigrant or voluntary minorities are people who have migrated essentially of their own volition to the United States, or any other nation, because they seek more economic mobility, or a better life in general, and/or political freedom (Ogbu, 1995). This case study sought an explanation for the success in education attributed to these new African immigrants and their children. This study investigated the relationship among three factors: (a) parental expectations, (b) socio-cultural experiences, and (c) (adult) children’s internalization of their parent’s aspirations for them. The method of inquiry included phenomenological analysis on data collected through participants’ topical life-histories (Giorgio, 1985). The results of the study represent the Nigerian immigrants’ worldviews: a folk theory shared by their cultural and life experiences. The common threads running throughout their responses are ‘education is the number one priority,’ ‘hard work,’ ‘effort begets luck,’ and ‘failure is not an option.’ Nigerian culture had a strong influence on the upbringing and fulfillment of expectations for the children of the participants.
Generation of collimated jets by a point source of heat and gravity

New solutions of the Boussinesq equations describe the onset of convection as well as the development of collimated bipolar jets near a point source of both heat and gravity. Stability, bifurcation, and asymptotic analyses of these solutions reveal details of jet formation. Convection (with l cells) evolves from the rest state at the Rayleigh number Ra = Ra cr = (l - 1)l(l + 1)(l + 2). Bipolar (l = 2) flow emerges at Ra = 24 via a transcritical bifurcation: Re = 7(24 - Ra)/(6 + 4Pr), where Re is a convection amplitude (dimensionless velocity on the symmetry axis) and Pr is the Prandtl number. This flow is unstable for small positive values of Re but becomes stable as Re exceeds some threshold value. The high-Re stable flow emerges from the rest state and returns to the rest state via hysteretic transitions with changing Ra. Stable convection attains high speeds for small Pr (typical of electrically conducting media, e.g. in cosmic jets). Convection saturates due to negative feedback': the flow mixes hot and cold fluids thus decreasing the buoyancy force that drives the flow. This 'feedback' weakens with decreasing Pr, resulting in the development of high-speed convection with a collimated jet on the axis. If swirl is imposed on the equatorial plane, the jet velocity decreases. With increasing swirl, the jet becomes annular and then develops flow reversal on the axis. Transforming the stability problem of this strongly non-parallel flow to ordinary differential equations, we find that the jet is stable and derive an amplitude equation governing the hysteretic transitions between steady states. The results obtained are discussed in the context of geophysical and astrophysical flows.
The effect of combined arterial hemodynamics on saphenous venous endothelial nitric oxide production

Abstract Introduction: Evidence exists that an ideal bypass conduit should have a functional endothelial cell surface combined with mechanical properties similar to those of native arteries. We hypothesized that the effect of combined arterial levels of pulsatile shear stress, flow, and cyclic strain would enhance saphenous venous endothelial cell nitric oxide (NO) production, and that variations in these "ideal" conditions could impair this function. We studied NO production as a measure of endothelial function in response to different hemodynamic conditions. Methods: Human adult saphenous venous endothelial cells were cultured in 10-cm silicone tubes, similar in diameter (5 mm) and compliance (6%) to a medium-caliber peripheral artery (eg, popliteal). Tube cultures were exposed to arterial conditions: a combined pressure (120/80 mm/Hg; mean, 100 mm/Hg), flow (mean, 115 mL/min) and cyclic strain (2%), with a resultant pulsatile shear stress of 4.8 to 9.4 dyne/cm 2 (mean, 7.1). Identical tube cultures were used to study variations in these conditions. Modifications of the system included a noncompliant system, a model with nonpulsatile flow, and a final group exposed to pulsatile pressure with no flow. NO levels were measured with a fluorometric nitrite assay of conditioned media collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours. Experimental groups were compared with cells exposed to nonpulsatile, nonpressurized low flow (shear stress 0.1 dyne/cm 2 ) and static cultures. Results: All experimental groups had greater rates of NO production than cells under static conditions ( P P P P Conclusions: Our results show that in the absence of physiologically normal pulsatility, cyclic strain, and volume flow, endothelial NO production does not reach the levels seen under ideal conditions. Pulsatile flow and compliance (producing flow with cyclic stretch) play a key role in NO production by vascular endothelium in a three-dimensional hemodynamically active model. This correlates biologically with clinical experience linking graft inflow and runoff and the mechanical properties of the conduit to long-term patency. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1199-205.)
Human successive discrimination reversal: Effects of overtraining and reinforcement

The overtraining reversal effect (ORE) was found in a human successive discrimination task. Two types of reinforcement were used, with three levels of training on the original problem. The ORE appeared with the first level of overtraining and then became practically asymptotic with additional overtraining.
Deciding if the angle is zero inside free groups

Abstract A graph theoretic algorithm is described which answers a question due to Stallings. In particular, given finitely generated subgroups of a free group, one can decide if the angle between the subgroups is zero.
Rooftop hospital gardens for physical therapy: a post-occupancy evaluation.

Objective: The goal of this study was to understand successes and weaknesses of a rooftop hospital garden used primarily for physical therapy.Background: Literature on the healing benefits of nature and designed outdoor spaces in healthcare contexts continues to become more focused on specific patient populations. This study contributes to the knowledge of rooftop hospital gardens and gardens for physical rehabilitation.Methods: A post-occupancy evaluation was conducted using interviews with a lead therapist and landscape architect, behavior mapping, a staff survey, and a patient questionnaire.Results: The designer and administrative staff perceived high accessibility while patients and staff reported low accessibility. Patients reported high satisfaction with the garden while staff reported little time for garden use. Poor maintenance decisions resulted in decreased functional and aesthetic value.Conclusions: Garden elements take on added layers of meaning and value to users seeking to escape the indoor ...
Mooring Model Coefficients for Barge Tows in a Navigation Lock

The equations of motion of a spring-mass system are used to describe a vessel’s mooring system. These equations employ added mass and hydrodynamic damping coefficients, which depend on vessel shape and the proximity of free-surface and solid boundaries. The present study has experimentally determined these coefficients for barge tows moored in the chamber of navigation locks. Seven lock chamber configurations were tested in which the width, depth, and length of the chamber and the beam width and length of the tow were varied. Values of the added mass coefficient and a nondimensional form of the damping coefficient are presented. Subsequent to modeling flow in a lock chamber, these coefficients can be used in conjunction with hawser properties (spring constants) to estimate hawser forces generated during locking operations.
Trefoil knotting revealed by molecular dynamics simulations of supercoiled DNA.

Computer simulations of the supercoiling of DNA, largely limited to stochastic search techniques, can offer important information to complement analytical models and experimental data. Through association of an energy function, minimum-energy supercoiled conformations,fluctuations about these states, and interconversions among forms may be sought. In theory, the observation of such large-scale conformational changes is possible, but modeling and numerical considerations limit the picture obtained in practice. A new computational approach is reported that combines an idealized elastic energy model, a compact B-spline representation of circular duplex DNA, and deterministic minimization and molecular dynamics algorithms. A trefoil knotting result, made possible by a large time-step dynamics scheme, is described. The simulated strand passage supports and details a supercoiled-directed knotting mechanism. This process may be associated with collective bending and twisting motions involved in supercoiling propagation and interwound branching. The results also demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the Langevin/ implicit-Euler dynamics scheme for studying biomolecular folding and reactions over biologically interesting time scales.
A SIMPLE SENSITIVE PRENATAL TEST FOR HYDROPS FETALIS CAUSED BY α-THALASSAEMIA

Abstract Slot blot analysis was used to differentiate between the genotypes of homozygous α-thalassaemia and those of haemoglobin-H disease and α-thalassaemia trait. The method is simple and rapid because restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis are not needed. Because of the great sensitivity of the test, as little as 0·5 μg of DNA can be studied with an 35 S-labelled probe which has a longer isotopic half life than the 32 P probes normally used for gene mapping. This assay should facilitate prenatal diagnosis in countries where pregnancies at risk for α-thalassaemia are common.
The Influence of Reduced Friction on Head Injury Metrics in Helmeted Head Impacts

Objective. Reducing surface friction has been shown to reduce head injury risk in some scenarios. However, rigid body mechanics suggests that other scenarios may exist in which reducing surface friction increases head injury risk. The goal of this study is to demonstrate that reducing friction on the surface of a helmet decreases the rotational acceleration of the head in some scenarios and increases it in other scenarios and to discuss the implications for helmet design. Methods. A series of drop tests were conducted to simulate normal and oblique impacts and assess head injury risk with conventional helmets and helmets that had been modified to reduce friction. Results. The low friction modification had little influence on peak linear head acceleration or HIC. However, it decreased peak rotational acceleration by 55% in one oblique impact scenario and increased it by 83% in another oblique impact scenario. In normal impacts, the low friction modification had no effect on peak rotational acceleration. Co...
Systemic Pesticides in Woody Plants: Translocation

For centuries man has been intrigued with the possibility of injecting materials into the sap stream of standing trees to control tree pests, color the wood, preserve the wood against decay, introduce fire retardants, and add nutrients. As early as 1709 Magnol followed the rise of colored dyes in the sap stream of plants. (The historical review taken mainly from Craighead and St. George, 1938.) In 1733, De la Baisse presented a paper on the rise of sap and colored liquids in plants. The relation of leaves to the rise of sap was covered by Bonnet in 1754. Saussure introduced toxic solutions into the sap stream of trees in 1804 but it was Leonardo da Vinci who suggested that arsenic be introduced into fruit trees to control pests. In the early 1930's, Boucherie experimented extensively on the introduction of chemicals into trees being primarily interested in incorporating preservatives into wood to be used for railroad ties. Some of his methods are still in use today, and many of the difficulties that plagued his work plague us today.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

AbstractPurpose: Published studies on the epidemiology of erectile dysfunction and the physiology/pathophysiology of erectile function are reviewed.Materials and Methods: A literature search of more than 400 studies of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of impotence and erectile dysfunction published during the last 3 decades was conducted and the most pertinent articles are discussed.Results: It has been estimated that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction of all degrees is 52% in men 40 to 70 years old, with higher rates in those older than 70 years. Erectile dysfunction has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Risk factors for erectile dysfunction include aging, chronic illnesses, various medications and cigarette smoking. A nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate mechanism has an important role in mediating the corporal smooth muscle relaxation necessary for erectile function. Other mechanisms involving neuropeptides, gap junctions and ion channels also may modulate corporal smooth...
Synchronization in human musical rhythms and mutually interacting complex systems.

Though the music produced by an ensemble is influenced by multiple factors, including musical genre, musician skill, and individual interpretation, rhythmic synchronization is at the foundation of musical interaction. Here, we study the statistical nature of the mutual interaction between two humans synchronizing rhythms. We find that the interbeat intervals of both laypeople and professional musicians exhibit scale-free (power law) cross-correlations. Surprisingly, the next beat to be played by one person is dependent on the entire history of the other person’s interbeat intervals on timescales up to several minutes. To understand this finding, we propose a general stochastic model for mutually interacting complex systems, which suggests a physiologically motivated explanation for the occurrence of scale-free cross-correlations. We show that the observed long-term memory phenomenon in rhythmic synchronization can be imitated by fractal coupling of separately recorded or synthesized audio tracks and thus applied in electronic music. Though this study provides an understanding of fundamental characteristics of timing and synchronization at the interbrain level, the mutually interacting complex systems model may also be applied to study the dynamics of other complex systems where scale-free cross-correlations have been observed, including econophysics, physiological time series, and collective behavior of animal flocks.
In vitro induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages by benzanthracene.

Summary Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) was induced in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) cultured in the presence of benzanthracene. Time and dose—response curves were established for in vitro induction of this enzyme system in PAMs. In addition, a positive correlation was noted between the level of AHH activity in freshly lavaged PAMs and the in vitro inducibility of the enzyme in these cells from either nonsmokers or cigarette smokers. Measurements of the inducibility of AHH in cultured human PAMs provide an experimental system suitable for studying the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of pulmonary carcinogenesis.
Grafted polymeric nanostructures patterned bottom–up by colloidal lithography and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD)

Colloidal lithography, a popular inexpensive alternative to conventional lithography, uses two−dimensional self-assembled monolayer arrays of colloidal nanoparticles as a lithographic template. Combined with initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), which offers unprecedented opportunity for producing grafted polymeric layers, this work demonstrates a generic “bottom-up” process as an inexpensive, simple, and environmentally friendly technique for creating robust well-ordered arrays of functional patterned polymeric nanostructures up to 500 nm in height. These grafted “nanobowl” patterns are produced for a broad material set of functional organic, fluorinated, and silicon containing polymers. These polymers fully retain the organic functionality of their monomeric precursors, are free of wetting defects, and are robustly tethered to the underlying substrate as shown by their ability to withstand aggressive solvent. Furthermore, using this method we pattern a novel low dielectric constant polymer down to...
Market Intelligence Dissemination across Functional Boundaries

The authors extend previous research by examining antecedents and consequences of the market intelligence dissemination process across functional boundaries. Their study, involving 788 nonmarketing...
Leveling the playing field: recognizing and rectifying disparities in management of pain.

Fifty to seventy percent of primary care visits have a complaint of pain. Between 3.5 and 6 million patients with cancer experience pain. Over 23 million surgical patients will experience pain. And 53 million people in the United States will have pain due to injury. How pain is managed differs among segments of the population. People at particular risk of receiving inadequate management of pain include children, the elderly, people with a history of substance abuse, the mentally ill, women, minorities, and people of color. Pain has been undertreated, undermanaged, improperly assessed, and inadequately taught in our health professions schools. This issue of Pain Medicine is devoted to research on the issues of disparities in health status and delivery of health services for the poor, minority citizens, and segments of the population who are at risk for suboptimal access to healthcare and effective treatment. Our nation has achieved a remarkable improvement in life expectancy of its citizens during the 20th century. An infant born in 1900 had a life expectancy of 47 years. Among the major causes of death at that time were conditions such as pneumonia, diphtheria, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal infections, childhood communicable diseases, and vitamin deficiency disorders [1]. One hundred years later, the life expectancy of an infant born today in the United States is approximately 77 years, representing almost a doubling of life expectancy in our nation during the 20th century [2]. This is due to better nutrition, safer drinking water and improved sanitation, childhood immunizations, development of antibiotics, other antimicrobials, and other advances in health sciences. Advances in global longevity have occurred more in the past 40 years than in the previous 4000 years [3]. Improvements in public health and in medicine have greatly enhanced the lives of Americans during the …
Performance evaluation of sensor networks by statistical modeling and euclidean model checking

Modeling and evaluating the performance of large-scale wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a challenging problem. The traditional method for representing the global state of a system as a cross product of the states of individual nodes in the system results in a state space whose size is exponential in the number of nodes. We propose an alternative way of representing the global state of a system: namely, as a probability mass function (pmf) which represents the fraction of nodes in different states. A pmf corresponds to a point in a Euclidean space of possible pmf values, and the evolution of the state of a system is represented by trajectories in this Euclidean space. We propose a novel performance evaluation method that examines all pmf trajectories in a dense Euclidean space by exploring only finite relevant portions of the space. We call our method Euclidean model checking. Euclidean model checking is useful both in the design phase—where it can help determine system parameters based on a specification—and in the evaluation phase—where it can help verify performance properties of a system. We illustrate the utility of Euclidean model checking by using it to design a time difference of arrival (TDoA) distance measurement protocol and to evaluate the protocol's implementation on a 90-node WSN. To facilitate such performance evaluations, we provide a Markov model estimation method based on applying a standard statistical estimation technique to samples resulting from the execution of a system.
International programs for the detection of breast cancer

The benefit of early breast cancer detection is the foundation for programs around the globe to reduce morbidity and mortality related to breast cancer. These programs range from educational programs targeted to women and health professionals to organized or opportunistic screening programs that target specific age groups of women. Modern mammography programs tend to follow the protocols from the randomized clinical trials, but there is variation in key program elements such as the age groups invited to screening, the screening interval, performance indicators, and the uptake rate. Until recently, the emphasis on early breast cancer detection was limited to mammography, but the steady rise in incidence and mortality in low and medium resource countries, where mammography may be unaffordable, has led to a renewal in emphasizing the incremental value of downsizing palpable tumors through physical exams. There is consensus that programs should be designed based on disease burden and available resources, but that even in low resource countries there are opportunities to reduce breast deaths through earlier diagnosis and effective treatment. Screening programs are most effective when they are organized, and program planners should consider WHO criteria and local input data as a basis for tailoring screening programs to the needs of their population.
Scalable consistency protocols for distributed services

A common way to address scalability requirements of distributed services is to employ server replication and client caching of objects that encapsulate the service state. The performance of such a system could depend very much on the protocol implemented by the system to maintain consistency among object copies. We explore scalable consistency protocols that never require synchronization and communication between all nodes that have copies of related objects. We achieve this by developing a novel approach called local consistency (LC). LC based protocols can provide increased flexibility and efficiency by allowing nodes control over how and when they become aware of updates to cached objects. We develop two protocols for implementing strong consistency using this approach and demonstrate that they scale better than a traditional invalidation based consistency protocol along the system load and geographic distribution dimensions of scale.
Urban Aerosol Acids: Analysis of National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1649

Abstract Urban particulate matter, collected from Washington, DC and certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as Standard Reference Material 1649, was extracted and fractionated into acid, base and neutral fractions. Each fraction was tested for biological activity using a microbial mutagenesis assay system. The organic acid fraction showed unexpectedly high mutagenic activity, and was subjected to chemical characterization studies. Following derivatization, analysis by GC/MS showed the presence of fatty acids, aromatic acids (including phenolic compounds), and a significant number of compounds that could not be identified from mass spectral compendia. Spectroscopic and elemental analysis data supported the characterization of the fraction as predominantly aromatic. Mass spectra from both GC/MS and direct probe analysis showed the presence of a chlorinated substance, subsequently identified as the fungicide Dichlorophen. The compound was shown to comprise over 50% of the mass...
Defining the limits of radical cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective Despite significant morbidity, surgical cytoreduction is the standard of care for ovarian cancer. We examined the outcomes of cytoreductive surgery to determine if there are groups of patients in which the morbidity is so substantial that alternate treatment strategies are warranted. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify women who underwent surgery for ovarian cancer from 1998 to 2007. The effect of age, number of radical procedures performed, and clinical characteristics on morbidity and mortality were examined. Results A total of 28,651 women were identified. The complication rates increased with age from 17.1% in those Conclusion The morbidity of cytoreduction is greatest in elderly women where the effects of age and the number of radical procedures performed have an additive effect on complication rates.
An approach to the optimal output feedback initial stabilizing gain problem

The author presents an algorithm which can be started using a full state feedback gain and converges to an output feedback or decentralized output feedback gain which minimizes a quadratic cost function. The algorithm is obtained by solving an optimal control problem with feedback gain scalar equality constraints adjoined to a quadratic cost function. An example using the algorithm is presented for the design of a lateral autopilot using a limited set of onboard sensors. >
Quantitative analysis of Hedgehog gradient formation using an inducible expression system

The Hedgehog (Hh) family of secreted growth factors are morphogens that act in development to direct growth and patterning. Mutations in human Hh and other Hh pathway components have been linked to human diseases. Analysis of Hh distribution during development indicates that cholesterol modification and receptor mediated endocytosis affect the range of Hh signaling and the cellular localization of Hh. We have used an inducible, cell type-specific expression system to characterize the three-dimensional distribution of newly synthesized, GFP-tagged Hh in the developing Drosophila wing. Following induction of Hh-GFP expression in posterior producing cells, punctate structures containing Hh-GFP were observed in the anterior target cells. The distance of these particles from the expressing cells was quantified to determine the shape of the Hh gradient at different time points following induction. The majority of cholesterol-modified Hh-GFP was found associated with cells near the anterior/posterior (A/P) boundary, which express high levels of Hh target genes. Without cholesterol, the Hh gradient was flatter, with a lower percentage of particles near the source and a greater maximum distance. Inhibition of Dynamin-dependent endocytosis blocked formation of intracellular Hh particles, but did not prevent movement of newly synthesized Hh to the apical or basolateral surfaces of target cells. In the absence of both cholesterol and endocytosis, Hh particles accumulated in the extracellular space. Staining for the Hh receptor Ptc revealed four categories of Hh particles: cytoplasmic with and without Ptc, and cell surface with and without Ptc. Interestingly, mainly cholesterol-modified Hh is detected in the cytoplasmic particles lacking Ptc. We have developed a system to quantitatively analyze Hh distribution during gradient formation. We directly demonstrate that inhibition of Dynamin-dependent endocytosis is not required for movement of Hh across target cells, indicating that transcytosis is not required for Hh gradient formation. The localization of Hh in these cells suggests that Hh normally moves across both apical and basolateral regions of the target cells. We also conclude that cholesterol modification is required for formation of a specific subset of Hh particles that are both cytoplasmic and not associated with the receptor Ptc.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: utilisation and outcomes in a 10-year population-based cohort

Objective To determine utilisation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); incidence of inpatient admissions for complications occurring within 30 days of ERCP and risk factors for procedural-related complications, in a population-based study. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Olmsted County, Minnesota. Participants All adult residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent ERCP from 1997 to 2006. Interventions Diagnostic and therapeutic ERCPs were assessed. Primary and secondary outcome measures Patient and procedural characteristics and complications within 30 days; and rates of ERCP utilisation and unplanned admissions and risk factors for admissions. Results In 10 years, 1072 ERCPs were performed on 827 individual patients. Average utilisation of ERCP was 83.1 ERCPs/100 000 persons/year, with an increase from 58 to 104.8 ERCPs/100 000 persons/year over time, driven by increases in therapeutic procedures. Within 30 days after 236 procedures, 62 admissions were definitely related to the index ERCP. The complication rate was 5.3%, including pancreatitis (26, 2.4%), infection/cholangitis (16, 1.5%), bleeding (15, 1.4%) and perforation (4, 0.37%). 30-day mortality was 2.4%, none of which was directly related to the ERCP or complications thereof. Risk factors identified through multivariate analysis to be associated with adverse events included: age Limitations Retrospective study. Conclusions Population utilisation of ERCP rose during the study period, specifically in therapeutic procedures. Admissions within 30 days of ERCP are common but often unrelated. Complications of ERCP remain infrequent and deaths quite unusual.
Medical Screening for Red Flags in the Diagnosis and Management of Musculoskeletal Spine Pain

When a patient presents with pain in the different regions of the spine, the clinician executes a region-appropriate basic examination that includes appropriate historical cues and specific physical examination tests that can be used to identify red flags. The clinical tests include a specific examination of the sensory and motor systems. Test outcomes are best interpreted in context with the entire examination profile, where the sensitivity and specificity of these tests can influence their utility in uncovering red flags. These red flags can be categorized based on the nature and severity or the specific elements of the patient's presentation. Many general red flags can be observed in any region of the spine, while specific red flags must be categorized and discussed for each spinal region. This categorization can guide the clinician in the direction of management, whether that management is aimed at redirecting the patient's care to another specialist, reconsidering the presentation and observing for clusters of findings that may suggest red flags, or managing the patient within the clinician's specialty in context with the severity of the patient's presentation.
Does Oral Antiandrogen Use Before Leuteinizing Hormone-releasing Hormone Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Prevent Clinical Consequences of a Testosterone Flare?

Objectives To investigate whether oral antiandrogen therapy before initiation of leuteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists was associated with fewer clinical flares. LHRH agonists are associated with initial testosterone rises that may cause clinical disease flares in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods We identified newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer patients treated in Veterans Affairs Hospitals from 2001-2004 with LHRH agonists with or without prior antiandrogen therapy. We assessed spinal cord compression, radiation therapy, fractures, bladder outlet obstruction, and narcotic prescriptions for pain within 30 days of starting LHRH therapy. Results Of 1566 metastatic prostate cancer patients treated with LHRH agonists, 1245 (79.5%) patients received oral antiandrogens before initiating LHRH agonist treatment. Hispanic men, married patients, and those without prior cancer were treated less often with oral antiandrogens (all P ≤ .05). Complication rates did not differ by receipt of oral antiandrogens (all P ≥ .17). Spinal cord compression and pathologic fractures were extremely rare whether antiandrogens were used or not. In adjusted analysis, there was no decrease in odds of any event for treatment with an antiandrogen within 6 days (OR, 1.04, 95% CI, 0.78-1.40) or ≥ 7 days (OR, 0.95, 95% CI, 0.72-1.25) before LHRH agonist treatment. Conclusions Antiandrogen therapy before LHRH agonists in metastatic prostate cancer was not associated with differences in fractures, spinal cord compression, bladder outlet obstruction, or narcotic prescriptions. Rates of spinal cord compression or fracture were