cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral serotonin receptor agonists: a review of their cost effectiveness in migraine.

Migraine headache is a highly prevalent chronic, episodic condition. The direct and indirect costs of migraine headache have a tremendous economic impact in the US. Research has shown that serotonin (5HT1B/D) receptor agonists reduce healthcare costs, improve health-related QOL (HR-QOL), decrease migraine disability and keep patients effective in the workplace. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine the cost effectiveness of oral 5HT1B/D receptor agonists for the treatment of migraine headache. In general, 5HT1B/D receptor agonists are associated with increases in direct healthcare costs; however, they are also associated with reductions in the indirect costs associated with migraine headache. Therefore, it appears that the relatively high acquisition cost of these medications is offset and, as a class, these medications appear to be cost effective and demonstrate net benefits from the societal perspective. Based on meta-analyses in which data on eletriptan were not available, it appears that within the class, almotriptan and rizatriptan are the most cost effective. In a prospective study comparing eletriptan with sumatriptan, it appears that the former may be more cost effective than the latter. Additional investigations are needed to further explore the application of the friction-cost approach and QALYs to cost-effectiveness analyses of this class of medication.
Volatile fatty acid metabolism by rumen mucosa from cattle fed hay or grain.

Abstract Effects of an all-grain versus an all-hay diet on metabolic activity of rumen mucosa of cattle were investigated. After diets had been fed for 3 to 4 mo, rumen papillae were collected at slaughter from the dorsal rumen sac and incubated with one of various volatile fatty acids. Rates of substrate utilization were in the order: n-butyrate >> n-valerate ∼ propionate > iso-butyrate ∼ iso-valerate. Overall, papillae from hay-fed steers utilized greater amounts of volatile fatty acids. Dietary treatment did not significantly affect extent of conversion of volatile fatty acids to lactate and to ketone bodies. Lactate was the major metabolite from propionate and n-valerate. Ketone body formation accounted for more than 90% of n-butyrate uptake by papillae. Ketone formation from n-valerate was restricted to β-hydroxybutyrate while that from iso-valerate was essentially acetoacetate plus acetone. Metabolic systems in rumen mucosa of physiologically mature ruminants seem to adapt little to varying individual volatile fatty acids available for absorption in vivo.
Gender Differences in the Community Service Use Attitudes of Older Spousal Caregiver-Care Recipient Couples

ABSTRACT Prior research has consistently overlooked spousal care recipients' attitudes toward service use within the caregiver-care recipient dyadic context. To address this gap in knowledge, this exploratory study collected data from both caregiver and care recipient spousal informants to compare their community service use attitudes by gender. This study employed a purposive sample of 30 older spousal caregiver-care recipient couples (N = 60). Service use attitude measures were adapted from the Community Service Attitude Inventory. For the entire sample, caregivers and care recipients had similar attitude scores at the group level of comparison. In the caregiver subsample, female spousal caregivers reported a higher level of confidence in service system compared with male spousal caregivers. Male spousal caregivers reported a higher worry and fear attitude compared with female spousal caregivers. In the care recipient subsample, female spousal care recipients reported a higher wait-and-see attitude comp...
The impact of surprise offer-share adjustments on offer-day returns: evidence from seasoned equity offers

Using a sample of seasoned equity offerings (SEOs), we examine the eleventh-hour information carried by the final offer-share adjustment. We argue that if market participants interpret the final offer-share adjustment as a new information signal regarding the demand for the stocks issued, a greater final offer-share adjustment will affect the offer-day return positively (demand information hypothesis). Alternatively, if investors interpret the final offer-share adjustment as increasing the supply of stocks issued and/or as diluting the value of existing shares, a greater final offer-share adjustment will affect the offer-day returns negatively (price-pressure and dilution hypothesis). We provide empirical evidence that the offer-day returns are positively related to the final offer-share adjustment after controlling for confounding factors, supporting the demand information hypothesis. Our results also remain intact even after controlling for the endogeneity. Overall, our findings suggest that the final offer-share adjustment is another important determinant of offer-day returns, in addition to the final offer-price adjustment that Altinkilic and Hansen [J Financ Econ 69(2):285–323 (2003)] report.
Mixed convection from a heated inclined plate in a channel with application to CVD

Abstract A numerical study based on governing equations in skewed coordinates is made to determine the influence of forced convection on natural convection from an inclined, heated plate situated inside a horizontal channel. The forced convection is found to augment the heat transfer as well as to make the heat transfer rate more uniform on the upward-facing side of the plate. The boundary conditions, inclination angles and offset positions are found to have significant effects on the interaction of forced and natural convection.
Dose-response studies of nickel-induced morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts.

We examined the dose-response curves for the induction of morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells by nickel sulphate or nickel chloride. A low, but significant, induction of transformation was observed at doses of 0.5-5 μg NiCl2 or NiSO4/ml. Increasing the dose to 10 or 20 μg/ml significantly increased the transformation frequency. The increase was not linearly proportional to the increase in dose (e.g. a twofold increase in concentration increased the transformation frequency by tenfold). Treatment with a phorbol ester tumour promoter (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, added 2 days after treatment with the nickel compounds) enhanced the transformation induced by nickel at low doses. The possible significance of these findings in relation to epidemiological studies of humans exposed to different levels of nickel are discussed.
Rethinking the Use of Physicians as Hired Expert Lecturers

GlaxoSmithKline recently announced that it will no longer hire physicians to lecture prescribers about its products. This commentary discusses possible motivators behind this decision and why physi...
ALPHA-TERTHIENYL, A NON-PHOTODYNAMIC PHOTOTOXIC COMPOUND

— Alpha-terthienyl (αT), a natural product first isolated in the plant Tagetes erecta (family Compositae), is the first member of a new class of phototoxic compounds, whose activity is not based on the generation of singlet oxygen. Its maximum activity against Candida utilis was at 370 nm, and was not affected by the presence of sodium azide. Furthermore, its phototoxicity against E.coliB cells was expressed under nitrogen, but not under oxygen. In the presence of UVA, radioactive αT formed covalent bonds with calf thymus DNA, and was also incorporated into the DNA of C. utilis. Two different methods proved that the photochemical interaction of αT and DNA did not involve cross linking of double strands.
Meta-analysis of the risk of metachronous hernia in infants and children

Background Inguinal herniorrhaphy is the most common general surgical procedure performed in children. The presence of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis forms the basis of the recommendation for contralateral exploration in patients undergoing unilateral herniorrhaphy. However, a patent processus vaginalis does not necessarily go on to become a clinically apparent inguinal hernia. Methods All published pediatric series, in which patients underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair and were evaluated for the development of a metachronous hernia, were included. The incidence of and risk factors associated with development a metachronous hernia were evaluated with meta-analysis. Results There were 15,310 patients ranging in age from birth to 16 years, including premature infants. Of these, 1,062 patients (7%) developed a metachronous hernia. Gender and age were not risk factors. There was an 11 % risk of metachronous hernia if the original hernia was on the left side, a risk that was 50% greater than if the original hernia was on the right. Of patients who developed a metachronous hernia, 90% did so within 5 years. The complication rate of metachronous hernia was 0.5%. Conclusion There is no role for routine contralateral groin exploration. High-risk infants and children, especially those who undergo left inguinal herniorrhaphy, may benefit from contralateral groin exploration. If a patent processus vaginalis is found, it should be ligated. Patients who do not undergo contralateral groin exploration should be followed up for 5 years.
Evidence against a PGF4a prostaglandin structure in trout tissue--a correction.

Abstract Analysis of the oxygenated products generated from docosahexaenoic acid by trout gill tissue and reinterpretation of the mass spectrum of the proposed novel protanoid indicate that the compounds identified as n-3 prostaglandins are trihydroxylated derivatives of the precursor polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Edwidge Danticat, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work

A review of Edwidge Danticat, Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work. The Toni Morrison Lecture Series (Princeton/Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2010).
Kinetic analysis of anaerobic digestion of pig manure and its design implications

Abstract The kinetic relationships for the design of anaerobic digesters of pig manure were reviewed. Ultimate methane yield and kinetic constanis for the kinetic equatior proposed by Chen & Hashimoto (1978) were estimated from reported data on the anaerobic digestion of pig manure. The effects of loading rate, influent solids concentration and retention time on methane and net thermal energy production were discussed. The model shows that gross and net thermal energy productions from pig manure are maximized at influent Volatile Solids concentrations of 50 and 55 kg m −3 , respectively. Longer retention times produce higher net thermal energy. A digestion temperature of 55°C produces more net thermal energy than one of 35°C only at short retention times. There is no economic advantage in operating a system at 55°C over 35°C at long retention times. The model also shows that the optimal retention times for net thermal energy production per unit cost for a plant processing 1000 kg Total Solids (TS) of pig manure per day occur at 8·2 and 5·0 days for digestion temperatures of 35°C and 55°C, respectively. Few studies on anaerobic digestion of pig manure have been at retention times shorter than 10 days. Future pilot-scale studies at a retention time less than 10 days are needed.
A new analytical thermal model for multilevel ULSI interconnects incorporating via effect

This paper presents a compact analytical model for estimating the temperature rise of multilevel ULSI interconnects incorporating the via effect. For the first time, an analytical expression is derived for the via correction factor, /spl eta/, which quantifies the effect of via separation on the effective thermal conductivity of ILD (inter-layer dielectrics), k/sub ILD,effective/, with k/sub ILD,effective/=k/sub ILD//k/sub ILD,effective/, where 0</spl eta/<1. Both the temperature profile along the metal lines and average temperature rise of the lines can be easily obtained using this analytical model. The predicted temperature profiles are shown to be in excellent agreement with the 3-D finite element thermal simulation results. The model is then applied to estimate the temperature distribution in multi-level interconnects. Significant difference in temperature distribution and maximum temperature rise is observed between the realistic situation of heat dissipation with vias and the overly simplified case that ignores via effect.
Characterization of iprodione-resistant Alternaria isolates from pistachio in California

Abstract Alternaria late blight caused by Alternaria spp. in the alternata , tenuissima , and arborescens species-groups is one of the most common fungal diseases of pistachio in California. In this study, a field iprodione-resistant (FIR) isolate of the arborescens species-group and a laboratory-induced iprodione-resistant (LIIR) isolate of the alternata species-group were characterized by fungicide and osmotic sensitivity, virulence on detached pistachio leaflets, and sequence of the coiled-coil region (six repeats of approximately 90-amino-acid domain) of the two-component histidine kinase ( HK ) gene. Both FIR and LIIR isolates were sensitive to azoxystrobin and tebuconazole, and azoxystrobin-resistant isolates were sensitive to iprodione and tebuconazole. The LIIR isolate showed more sensitivity to osmotic stress than its wild-type parent. However, the FIR isolate did not show higher osmotic sensitivity compared to field iprodione-sensitive (FIS) isolates. Laboratory inoculation tests showed that both FIR and LIIR isolates remained highly virulent on pistachio. Analysis of DNA sequences of the HK coiled-coil region showed that there were no differences in deduced amino acid sequence of this region from the LIIR, FIR, and FIS Alternaria isolates from pistachio in California.
Pathogenicity of Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines Isolates on Soybean and Green Bean Plants

Green bean plants were grown in a greenhouse in soil removed from a soybean field in 1996 that had a high incidence of soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS). Over a period of 4 weeks, isolations were made from taproot tissue of green bean plants to recover Fusarium isolates. Ten isolates of Fusarium solani were recovered and used to inoculate soybean and green bean plants in the greenhouse. These 10 isolates caused typical SDS symptoms on the soybean plants and caused a root and crown rot on green bean plants. The green bean plants did not develop typical symptoms associated with soybean SDS but, rather, leaves on infected plants showed yellowing and necrosis. Molecular data indicated that these 10 isolates were identical to Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines that cause soybean sudden death syndrome. All isolates were re-isolated from greenhouse-inoculated soybean and green bean plants. Zusammenfassung Pathogenitat von Isolaten des Pilzes Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines fur Sojabohnen und Gartenbohnen Im Gewachshaus wurden Gartenbohnen in einem Boden kultiviert, der 1996 aus einem Sojabohnenfeld entnommen worden war, einem Jahr mit starkem Auftreten des Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS, plotzliches Absterben der Sojabohne). Uber einen Zeitraum von 4 Wochen wurden Fusarium-Isolate aus den Hauptwurzeln der Gartenbohnen isoliert. Dabei wurden zehn Isolate von Fusarium solani gewonnen und zur Inokulation von Soja- und Gartenbohnen im Gewachshaus verwendet. Die zehn Isolate riefen bei den Sojabohnen typische SDS-Symptome hervor, bei den Gartenbohnen eine Faule der Wurzeln und oberirdischen Pflanzenteile. Die Gartenbohnen wiesen keine typischen SDS-Symptome auf, ihre Blatter zeigten jedoch Vergilbungen und Nekrosen. Molekularbiologische Untersuchungen ergaben, das es sich bei den zehn Isolaten um Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines handelte, den Erreger des Soybean sudden death syndrome. Alle Isolate wurden aus den im Gewachshaus inokulierten Soja- und Gartenbohnen reisoliert.
Radiation force caused by scattering, absorption, and emission of light by nonspherical particles

General formulas for computing the radiation force exerted on arbitrarily oriented and arbitrarily shaped nonspherical particles due to scattering, absorption, and emission of electromagnetic radiation are derived. For randomly oriented particles with a plane of symmetry, the formula for the average radiation force caused by the particle response to external illumination reduces to the standard Debye formula derived from the Lorenz-Mie theory, whereas the average radiation force caused by emission vanishes.
Severe vitamin B12 deficiency resulting in pancytopenia, splenomegaly and leukoerythroblastosis

Deficiency of vitamin B12 is a well known cause of megaloblastic anemia and pancytopenia. Splenomegaly and leukoerythroblastosis are much less well known manifestations of B12 deficiency. We report a B12 deficient female with severe pancytopenia including normocytic anemia who also had enlarged spleen and circulating nucleated red blood cells as well as circulating immature myeloid cells. Although these findings are reported in the earlier literature, more modern reviews of the subject often fail to mention this association. We review the literature on these unusual manifestations of B12 deficiency and remind clinicians that splenomegaly and erythroblastosis can serve as diagnostic clues in cases of severe megaloblastic anemia secondary to B12 deficiency.
Retinoic acid regulates the expression of insulin-like growth factors I and II in osteoblasts.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are the most abundant growth factors secreted by skeletal cells, and retinoic acid has many important actions on cell differentiation and osteoblastic function. Some of these actions may be mediated by changes in the expression of IGF I and II since IGFs are known to enhance the differentiated function of the osteoblast. We examined the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on IGF I and IGF II expression in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22 day fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). Retinoic acid caused a transient increase in IGF I and IGF II mRNA levels after 6 h, but after 24 and 48 h of treatment a dose-dependent decrease was observed. Cycloheximide prevented the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid. Retinoic acid treatment for 48 h decreased IGF I polypeptide levels in the culture medium. In contrast, 48 h exposure to retinoic acid increased IGF II polypeptide levels, possibly due to increased levels of IGF binding protein-6. The decay of IGF I and II mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells was similar in control and retinoic acid-treated cells. After 2 h, retinoic acid increased the rates of IGF I and II transcription, as determined by a nuclear run-on assay and heterogeneous nuclear RNA levels, but after 24 h retinoic acid was inhibitory. Retinoic acid had opposite effects to IGFs in osteoblasts and inhibited DNA and collagen synthesis. In conclusion, following a small transient increase, retinoic acid causes a pronounced decrease in IGF I and IGF II mRNA expression in Ob cells. However, treatment with retinoic acid causes a decrease in IGF I and an increase in IGF II polypeptide levels. These changes in the IGF/IGFBP axis may be relevant to the mechanism of action of retinoic acid in bone. J. Cell. Physiol. 172:253–264, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Polymer–ceramic composite for tooth-root implant

A new polymer–ceramic composite suitable for tooth-root implants has been developed in this study. This material exhibited the desirable combination of good mechanical properties, controlled porosity, and ease of processing. A thermal processing technique was utilized to polymerize acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of either 0.3 or 0.05 μ alumina particles. Porosity and pore size distribution were influenced by the alumina particle size and the processing technique. For a 50 vol % AA solution, the composite had an average compressive strength of 18,000 psi and 38% porosity when 0.3 μ filler particles were used. In comparison, the 0.05 μ alumina-filled composite had an average compressive strength of 28,000 psi with a 15% porosity. Data on the physical and structural characteristics of the composite are presented in this study. Based on these results, the composite material shows good potential for use in tooth-root implants as well as other orthopedic implant applications.
Assessment of bone mineral density in adults and children with Marfan syndrome.

Recent studies indicate that decreased bone mineral density (BMD) occurs in the spine, femoral necks and greater trochanters of some adults and children with Marfan syndrome. Because there is uncertainty regarding the BMD status of patients with Marfan syndrome, we undertook an analysis of BMD in both adults and children with Marfan syndrome. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry analysis was performed on a convenience sample of 51 patients (30 adults and 21 children) with diagnosed Marfan syndrome from 1993 to 2000. T-Scores (i.e. the number of standard deviations above or below the average normal peak bone density) were determined for comparison of adults. Mean±SD of individual BMD values were used for comparison of the data of children. Compared to standard values obtained from normal adult patients, adult males with Marfan syndrome demonstrated significantly reduced femoral neck BMD with an average T-score of -1.54 (P<0.001), diagnostic of osteopenia. Although osteopenia and osteoporosis were observed in several middle aged and pre- and postmenopausal women, the average T-score value for adult females and children were within normal limits. The etiology and full significance of decreased BMD in adult male patients with Marfan syndrome remain uncertain at the present time. Our results lead us to question the value of aggressive BMD evaluations by DXA in these patients, particularly prior to reaching mid-age. Further investigations will be required to shed insights into the natural history of BMD in adults and children with Marfan syndrome. Any application of bone mineral replacement therapy such as bisphosphonate, selective estrogen receptor modulators, hormone replacement therapy and vitamin D in these patients may be premature based on the existing evidence.
Anästhesie bei laparoskopischen Eingriffen

Laparoskopische Operationstechniken werden in vielen Bereichen der Chirurgie angewendet und sind teilweise zu Standardverfahren geworden. Die Cholezystektomie wird in ca. 90% der Falle laparoskopisch durchgefuhrt. Im Rahmen des Pneumoperitoneums finden Veranderungen statt, die z. T. ausgepragte Auswirkungen auf die physiologische Homoostase haben. Daruber hinaus kann es bei einer Laparoskopie zu spezifischen Komplikationen mit weitreichenden Folgen kommen. Beides muss dem Anasthesisten bekannt sein, um entsprechend reagieren zu konnen.
Brain peeling: viewing the inside of a laminar three dimensional solid

We describe a 3D surface-tracking algorithm that is used to detect the interior laminar surfaces of a solid shell. Each of these surfaces is called a “peel”. Successive peels may be generated, thus representing the solid shell by its tangential layers. This algorithm is based on voxel surface-tracking methods and solves the problems associated with transforming a surface-tracking algorithm into a “brain peeler”. We also discuss the properties of the voxel surfaces produced by this algorithm. Using the connectivity properties of these objects, we are able to convert voxel representations into polyhedral representations without human interaction. We illustrate this work with a high-resolution reconstruction of a monkey visual cortex. Additional application domains of this work are in areas in which there is a natural laminar structure to a 3D solid, such as in geophysics (earth strata).
Gender differences in the effects of strain on the delinquency of South Korean youth

General strain theory (GST) was tested as an explanation of violent and status offense delinquency of South Korean girls and boys. One research objective was to determine whether Korean girls and b...
Perceptions of the importance of physical setting in substance abuse treatment

Research indicates that architectural design can provide therapeutic effects. Six setting characteristics are considered of primary importance in health-care facilities: comforts and conveniences, safety, attractiveness, size, privacy, and arrangement/location. This study presents the perceptions regarding these and other setting features held by female clients and staff from a substance abuse treatment facility. Results support the importance of these six setting characteristics in influencing clients' treatment goals. Four other setting variables emerged as important to women's recovery: participation in a residential, drug-free, gender-specific program that provides on-site child care. Attention to these variables may provide facilities with an advantage in today's competitive market for clients.
A fast, high-order quadrature sampled pre-corrected fast-fourier transform for electromagnetic scattering

In this paper, a novel fast, high-order solution procedure referred to as the quadrature sampled pre-corrected fast-Fourier transform (QS-PCFFT) is presented. The method accelerates far-interaction terms of an integral operator using the discontinuous FFT 1, which combines Gaussian-quadrature integration with the FFT. This method is applied to the locally corrected Nystrom solution of electromagnetic scattering problems. It is shown that the QS-PCFFT maintains high-order convergence and scales as O(N) in memory and O(N log N) in floating point operations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 343–349, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10760
Optical Doppler coherence tomography algorithms: quantitative analysis

We present, to our knowledge, the first quantitative comparisons of five flow estimation algorithms for optical Doppler coherent tomography. We have used simulated 1D, 2D, and in vivo blood flow data to investigate the estimation accuracy and sensitivity of these algorithms. We introduce, among these five methods, 3 new algorithms: weighted centroid, sliding-window filtering, and autocorrelation. The weighted centroid, sliding-window filtering and the existing adaptive centroid algorithms have considerably higher sensitivity and accuracy over the autocorrelation and existing cross-correlation methods.
Thirty-day postoperative complications and mortality following total knee arthroplasty: incidence and risk factors among a national sample of 15,321 patients.

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence rates of, and identify risk factors for, thirty-day postoperative mortality and complications among more than 15,000 patients who underwent a primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty as documented in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). Methods: The NSQIP database was queried to identify patients who had undergone primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty between 2006 and 2010. Patient demographics, medical history, and surgical characteristics were recorded, as were thirty-day postoperative complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay. Complications were divided into categories, which included major systemic complications (complications requiring complex medical intervention) and major local complications (including deep wound infection and peripheral nerve injury). Univariate testing and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify significant independent predictors of the outcome measures. Results: A total of 15,321 individuals underwent primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. The mean age (and standard deviation) of the patients was 67.3 ± 10.2 years. Obesity (a body mass index [BMI] of ≥30 kg/m2) was documented in 61.2% of cases, 18.2% of patients had diabetes, and 50% were graded as Class 3 or higher on the basis of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification system. The thirty-day mortality rate was 0.18%, and 5.6% of the patients experienced complications. Patient age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06 to 1.17) and diabetes (OR = 2.99; 95% CI = 1.35 to 6.62) were independent predictors of mortality. A BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 was an independent predictor of postoperative complications (OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.98). Patient age of eighty years or older, an ASA classification of ≥3, and an operative time of >135 minutes influenced the development of any postoperative complication as well as major and minor systemic complications. Cardiac disease (OR = 4.32; 95% CI = 1.01 to 18.45) and a BMI of ≥40 kg/m2 (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.02 to 3.97) were associated with minor local complications. Conclusions: Patient age and diabetes increased the risk of mortality after primary total unilateral knee arthroplasty. Predictive factors impacting the development of postoperative complications included an ASA classification of ≥3, increased operative time, increased age, and greater body mass. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Development of solid-state fault isolation devices for future power electronics-based distribution systems

This paper addresses the timely issues of modeling, and defining selection criteria for, a solidstate fault isolation device (FID) intended for use in power electronics-based distribution systems (PEDS). The paper subsequently derives the FID parameters in the PEDS envisioned under a new multi-university Engineering Research Center funded by the US National Science Foundation. When conventional circuit breakers are used in distribution systems, they have relatively long clearing times, causing feeder voltages to be reduced for a significant amount of time. Although acceptable in convention systems, this relatively long clearing time would cause significantly long, complete voltage collapses in a PEDS. Sensitive loads such as computers would fail even if the voltage returns within a few seconds. However, if a semiconductor circuit breaker were to be used instead of the conventional system, it would be able to switch fast enough to keep the time of voltage disturbances within acceptable limits. This paper discusses the management of the overvoltage resulting from very fast circuit breaker operation through the use of passive clamping devices and di/dt control during turn-off. The paper includes experimental results at medium voltage from a developed hardware prototype. In addition, a validated simulation model of a medium voltage FID was developed for future studies. Simulation results are presented.
Should Basic Underwriting Rules Be Applied to Average Crop Revenue Election and Supplemental Revenue

This paper considers methods to adversely select on Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) and Supplemental Revenue (SURE). In the case of winter wheat, farmers had a large amount of a priori yield and price information before electing 2009 ACRE. Prior to the August 14 sign-up for ACRE, wheat was 3 months into the marketing year. In most years nearly half of the national average price is determined in the first 3 months of the marketing year. With this available information it was clear that Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington wheat would collect the maximum or near the maximum ACRE payment, while there was little chance that ACRE would pay on Colorado wheat.
Isolation and characterization of novel pituitary tumor related genes: A cDNA representational difference approach

Recently, progress has been made in understanding human pituitary tumor pathogenesis by the investigation of differences in gene expression between normal pituitary tissue and pituitary tumors. A number of approaches, including differential display (DD), representational difference analysis (RDA), and microarray analysis have been used and several molecular targets potentially associated with pituitary tumor development and invasion have been identified. We have used RDA to compare gene expression patterns between normal human pituitary and clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas, and identified genes with growth suppression function which are expressed in the normal pituitary but not in pituitary tumors. In particular, we have focused on an imprinted gene, Maternally Expressed Gene 3 (MEG3), which is specifically associated with clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas of a gonadotroph lineage. MEG3 functions to suppress tumor cell growth, increase protein expression of the tumor suppressor p53, and selectively activate p53 target genes. Interestingly, MEG3 does not encode a protein but a non-coding RNA. Therefore, these studies have revealed novel mechanisms for the function of a non-coding RNA in pituitary physiology and tumorigenesis.
Evolving therapeutic paradigms for multiple myeloma: back to the future.

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is an ancient disease, but until the alkylating agent melphalan was found to have anti-myeloma properties in the 1950s there was virtually no effective therapy. By the late 1960s, extended dosing with melphalan and prednisone tripled survival from diagnosis and became the standard of care for newly diagnosed MM. “Maintenance therapy” to prolong survival through sustained disease control following induction chemotherapy was sought by 1970, but early strategies were ineffective and toxic. Subsequent applications of high-dose therapy (HDT)/autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) changed the treatment paradigm for MM from extended dosing to an intensive strategy designed to eradicate the malignant cells in a single course of treatment. Although HDT-ASCT resulted in prolonged duration of remission and improved survival, the vast majority of patients still relapsed. Interferon (IFN) and glucocorticoid maintenance therapies demonstrated marginal improvements in outcomes but significa...
From forest to field: Perennial fruit crop domestication

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Archaeological and genetic analyses of seed-propagated annual crops have greatly advanced our understanding of plant domestication and evolution. Comparatively little is known about perennial plant domestication, a relevant topic for understanding how genes and genomes evolve in long-lived species, and how perennials respond to selection pressures operating on a relatively short time scale. Here, we focus on long-lived perennial crops (mainly trees and other woody plants) grown for their fruits. KEY RESULTS We reviewed (1) the basic biology of long-lived perennials, setting the stage for perennial domestication by considering how these species evolve in nature; (2) the suite of morphological features associated with perennial fruit crops undergoing domestication; (3) the origins and evolution of domesticated perennials grown for their fruits; and (4) the genetic basis of domestication in perennial fruit crops. CONCLUSIONS Long-lived perennials have lengthy juvenile phases, extensive outcrossing, widespread hybridization, and limited population structure. Under domestication, these features, combined with clonal propagation, multiple origins, and ongoing crop-wild gene flow, contribute to mild domestication bottlenecks in perennial fruit crops. Morphological changes under domestication have many parallels to annual crops, but with key differences for mating system evolution and mode of reproduction. Quantitative trait loci associated with domestication traits in perennials are mainly of minor effect and may not be stable across years. Future studies that take advantage of genomic approaches and consider demographic history will elucidate the genetics of agriculturally and ecologically important traits in perennial fruit crops and their wild relatives.
Effects of wildlife and cattle on tick abundance in central Kenya

In African savannas, large mammals, both wild and domestic, support an abundant and diverse population of tick ectoparasites. Because of the density of ticks and the many pathogens that they vector, cattle in East Africa are often treated with acaricides. While acaricides are known to be effective at reducing tick burdens on cattle, their effects on the overall abundance and community composition of ticks in savanna ecosystems are less well understood. It is also not known how well tick populations can be maintained in the absence of large mammals. We evaluated the effects of wildlife and of acaricide-treated cattle on host- seeking tick populations in a long-term, exclusion experiment in central Kenya. Over seven years, we sampled larval, nymphal, and adult ticks monthly on replicated treatment plots that controlled for the presence of cattle and for the presence of two guilds of large wild mammals: megaherbivores (giraffes and elephants) and all other large wild herbivores (.15 kg). Two species of ticks were found in this habitat; across all surveys, 93% were Rhipicephalus pulchellus and 7% were R. praetextatus. The presence of acaricide-treated cattle dramatically reduced the abundance of host-seeking nymphal and adult ticks but did not affect the abundance of host- seeking larval ticks. The abundance of larval ticks was determined by the presence of large wild mammals, which appear to import gravid female ticks into the experimental plots. On plots with no large mammals, either wild or domestic, larval and nymphal ticks were rare. Adult R. pulchellus were most abundant in plots that allowed wildlife but excluded cattle. Adult R. praetextatus were relatively abundant in plots without any large mammals. These differences suggest that these ticks utilize different members of the host community. The reduction in ticks that results from the presence of acaricide-treated cattle has potential health benefits for humans and wildlife, but these benefits must be weighed against potential costs, including reduced availability of food for birds such as oxpeckers that feed on ticks.
Wear data and clinical results for a compression molded monoblock elliptical acetabular component: 5- to 9-year data.

Polyethylene wear rates correlate with osteolysis. Modular acetabular components may fail because of backside polyethylene wear or liner/shell dissociation. A monoblock acetabular component avoids these problems, and we report its midterm results. A total of 221 primary total hip arthroplasties with a titanium monoblock, elliptical acetabular component, performed by 1 surgeon, were followed up for a mean period of 7.2 years (range, 5-9 years). X-rays were scanned, digitized, and examined for osteolysis. Wear rates were determined with the Martell hip analysis software. No acetabular components were revised for polyethylene wear or dissociation, acetabular osteolysis, or loosening. Average yearly wear rate was 0.079 mm (range, 0-0.31mm.) Midterm results with this monoblock design demonstrate excellent survival and absence of osteolysis.
An exploration-exploitation model based on norepinepherine and dopamine activity

We propose a model by which dopamine (DA) and norepinepherine (NE) combine to alternate behavior between relatively exploratory and exploitative modes. The model is developed for a target detection task for which there is extant single neuron recording data available from locus coeruleus (LC) NE neurons. An exploration-exploitation trade-off is elicited by regularly switching which of the two stimuli are rewarded. DA functions within the model to change synaptic weights according to a reinforcement learning algorithm. Exploration is mediated by the state of LC firing, with higher tonic and lower phasic activity producing greater response variability. The opposite state of LC function, with lower baseline firing rate and greater phasic responses, favors exploitative behavior. Changes in LC firing mode result from combined measures of response conflict and reward rate, where response conflict is monitored using models of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Increased long-term response conflict and decreased reward rate, which occurs following reward contingency switch, favors the higher tonic state of LC function and NE release. This increases exploration, and facilitates discovery of the new target.
Tongue cancer: Is there a difference in survival compared with other subsites in the oral cavity?

Purpose Advances in the management of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have confounded the importance of site in predicting overall prognosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to review the outcome of patients with OSCC and to determine if site is a significant predictor of survival or disease-free survival. Patients and Methods The records of 233 patients that underwent surgery for resectable OSCC treated at a single institution from 1993 to 2003 were identified. Patients with positive surgical margins, high grade histology, aggressive biologic behavior, or advanced stage disease underwent adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The demographics, site, stage, pathologic, treatment, and survival data were collected and statistically analyzed in an attempt to identify predictors of loco-regional control and disease-free survival. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable and survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. For purposes of comparison, patients were divided into 2 groups: those with tongue lesions (n = 73) and all other sites (n = 152). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to distinguish different survival rates between the groups. Results Two hundred fifteen patients consisting of 104 males (48%) and 111 females (52%) met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Overall and disease-free survival rates were 56% and 58%, respectively. Stage and grade were identified as having a statistically significant effect on survival ( P = .0014, likelihood ratio χ 2 = 0.04, 1 degree of freedom; and P = .026, χ 2 = 5, 1 degree of freedom, respectively). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with tongue cancer and other sites in the oral cavity ( P = .8, χ 2 = .04, 1 degree of freedom). Conclusions Grade and stage are significant predictors of overall and disease-free survival for patients with OSCC. In this study, however, there was no survival difference between patients with tongue cancer and cancers located at other sites in the oral cavity.
"Who's reading my e-mail?": a study of professionals' e-mail usage and privacy perceptions in the workplace

E-mail privacy in the workplace has emerged as one of the most complex ethical and legal issues confronting corporate communication in the electronic age. The paper discusses the array of legal and ethical concerns of e-mail privacy in the workplace. Building on the existing body of knowledge on the topic, the results of a research study are presented which explore the similarities and differences in e-mail usage and privacy perceptions among management level and administrative level employees. The survey, which polled 337 working professionals, confirmed the popular belief that companies are not effectively communicating their e-mail monitoring policies to their employees. Finally, recommendations are made to corporate communicators on how best to forge an e-mail communications policy that can reduce the risk of disputes, incidents, and lawsuits regarding e-mail privacy issues.
Variability in motor learning: relocating, channeling and reducing noise

Variability in motor performance decreases with practice but is never entirely eliminated, due in part to inherent motor noise. The present study develops a method that quantifies how performers can shape their performance to minimize the effects of motor noise on the result of the movement. Adopting a statistical approach on sets of data, the method quantifies three components of variability (tolerance, noise, and covariation) as costs with respect to optimal performance. T-Cost quantifies how much the result could be improved if the location of the data were optimal, N-Cost compares actual results to results with optimal dispersion at the same location, and C-Cost represents how much improvement stands to be gained if the data covaried optimally. The TNC-Cost analysis is applied to examine the learning of a throwing task that participants practiced for 6 or 15 days. Using a virtual set-up, 15 participants threw a pendular projectile in a simulated concentric force field to hit a target. Two variables, angle and velocity at release, fully determined the projectile’s trajectory and thereby the accuracy of the throw. The task is redundant and the successful solutions define a nonlinear manifold. Analysis of experimental results indicated that all three components were present and that all three decreased across practice. Changes in T-Cost were considerable at the beginning of practice; C-Cost and N-Cost diminished more slowly, with N-Cost remaining the highest. These results showed that performance variability can be reduced by three routes: by tuning tolerance, covariation and noise in execution. We speculate that by exploiting T-Cost and C-Cost, participants minimize the effects of inevitable intrinsic noise.
A Spectrofluorometric Method for the Determination of Chlorphenesin Carbamate and Mephenesin

Abstract Spectrofluorometric assays of chlorphenesin carbamate and mephenesin in tablets have been performed. The wavelengths of maximum excitation and emission using methanol as solvent are given.
Prototype Instruments for Laboratory and On-line Measurement of Lipoxygenase Activity

A laboratory bench-top and a continuous prototype for measurement of lipoxygenase activity was developed. Lipoxygenase activity determination was based on the measurement of the rate of oxygen consumption by the enzyme using a polarographic sensor for the bench-top prototype and fibre optic sensors for the continuous prototype. The bench-top and the continuous sensors were compared against the standard spectrophotometric method. The range of LOX activity according to the spectrophotometric assay was from 0 to 0.163mmol/L s. Accuracy and precision were 0.009 and 0.005mmol/L s respectively for the bench top prototype and 0.007 and 0.006mmol/L s for the on-line prototype. Correlation coefficients (R 2 ) were 0.99 for both prototypes with respect to the spectrophotometric method.
Students collaborating with computer models and physical experiments

This study examines the actions and discourse of students in a chemistry laboratory course as they interact with available social and material resources. In one session, students conduct wet lab experiments; in another, they use molecular modeling software. The analysis demonstrates that the features of the computer-generated representations afford conceptual discussions. The structure of the task and the available material resources in the wet lab more often result in help-seeking behavior.