cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of cryopreserved femoral vein grafts for hemodialysis access in patients at high risk for infection: A word of caution

Abstract Background: Several studies have reported success in the use of venous homografts for arteriovenous access and for arterial bypass in infected fields. On the basis of these reports and in an effort to prevent the loss of vascular access to infection, we performed arteriovenous graft placement with cryopreserved femoral vein in patients at high risk for graft infection. This study reviews the results of our experience. Methods: Of approximately 3100 dialysis access operations performed in a single vascular surgery service between October 1999 and July 2001, 20 patients received arteriovenous access grafts with cryopreserved femoral vein. All patients were judged to be at high risk for infection of the access on the basis of the presence of active infection at the time of graft implantation, the location of the graft in the thigh position, or a history of multiple access infections. The grafts were placed in three locations: thigh (n = 14), upper extremity (n = 3), and chest wall (n = 3). Results: No early operative deaths or graft thromboses were seen. There were three late deaths: two from cardiac disease and one from a graft-related complication. Thirteen major graft related complications (65%) occurred in the 20 patients. There were three generalized graft infections (15%) and eight localized graft infections (40%) at dialysis needle access sites in 11 patients. Six of the graft infections were associated with graft rupture and frank hemorrhage, resulting in one patient death from exsanguination. Two grafts (10%) thrombosed, one of which was salvaged after thrombectomy and revision. These complications occurred between 1 and 14 months after implantation. At a mean follow-up period of 13 months (range, 1 to 17 months), only five of the 20 patients (25%) have a functioning cryopreserved femoral vein arteriovenous graft. Conclusion: The use of cryopreserved vein graft for hemodialysis access in patients at high risk for infection is associated with a high incidence rate of graft infection and rupture, particularly when placed in the thigh position. The routine use of cryopreserved vein graft in the thigh should be avoided. The in situ replacement of infected polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts with cryopreserved vein should be considered if alternative sites for new access placement are unavailable. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:464-8.)
Management options for stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis

Management of clinical stage I non seminomatous germ cell tumor includes surveillance, primary chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Stratifying clinical stage I disease to high-and low-risk groups for harboring micrometastic retroperitoneal disease (pathologic stage B) is based on pathologic characteristics of the primary tumor. The presence of embryonal dominant histology and lymphovascular invasion (high-risk group) predicts for a 50% incidence of retroperitoneal disease. Low-risk group, the absence of either factor, predicts a 20% chance of retroperitoneal disease. Irrespective of risk classification, all treatment modalities have equal survival rates of 99% to 100%, and differ only in their unique short and long-term modalities. The mode of treatment in clinical stage I disease should remain patient driven and is guided by the perceived morbidities of each therapy.
Preparation and properties of Fe3+-amino acid complexes: Crystalline complexes with aliphatic amino acids☆☆☆★

Abstract Crystalline complexes of Fe3+ and several aliphatic amino acids have been prepared. All have a basic molecular constitution [Fe[AA]2H2O]3O (ClO4)7, as determined by optical, magnetic, and Mossbauer measurements. The physical properties of these compounds display a marked similarity to those of ferritin.
Characterization of a bifunctional PutA homologue from Bradyrhizobium japonicum and identification of an active site residue that modulates proline reduction of the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor.

PutA is a bifunctional flavoenzyme in bacteria that catalyzes the four-electron oxidation of proline to glutamate. In certain prokaryotes such as Escherichia coli, PutA is also a transcriptional re...
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and lung cancer: a metaanalysis.

Study objective Studies done both in laboratory animals and humans suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer. Many epidemiologic studies exploring this association lacked sufficient power to draw definitive conclusions. We conducted a metaanalysis to examine the effect of NSAID use on the risk of lung cancer Design We searched the literature using MEDLINE, CANCERLIT, related conference abstracts, and bibliographies of selected studies. The estimators of relative risk (RR) and associated variances, adjusted for the greatest number of confounders, were abstracted and included in the metaanalysis. Combined estimators of RR were calculated using either fixed or random-effect models. Metaanalyses were performed on 14 studies (the number of cases ranged from 81 to 2,560) that examined the association between lung cancer and NSAIDs. Further, subgroup analyses were performed on the nine studies that had adjusted for the effects of smoking Results The combined estimate of RR was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.95) when all the studies were included in the analysis, and was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.55 to 0.85) when the analysis was limited to the subgroup of studies adjusted for smoking. The combined estimates for case-control studies and cohort studies within this subgroup were 0.63 (95% CI, 0.47 to 0.86) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.98), respectively. We also observed that small cell lung cancer was more inversely associated with NSAID use (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.75) than non-small cell lung cancer (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.79) Conclusion The findings of this study support an inverse association between NSAID use and risk of lung cancer, but do not suggest a causal relationship
Partial irradiation of the liver.

The use of three-dimensional radiotherapy (RT) and the prospective follow-up of patients for radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) have led to a more quantitative understanding of the partial organ tolerance of the liver compared with previous estimates based on clinical judgment alone. Parameters of both the Lyman normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model and a local damage-organ injury (D-I) NTCP model have been fit to clinical data from patients who have received hepatic radiation. Based on analyses of over 180 patients, the liver exhibits a large volume effect and a low threshold volume for RILD. Mean liver dose is associated with RILD, and no cases of RILD have been reported in patients with a mean liver dose of less than 31 Gy. Most recent estimates of the partial liver tolerance to RT suggest that if less than 25% of the normal liver is treated with RT, then there may be no upper limit on dose associated with RILD. Estimates of the liver doses associated with a 5% risk of RILD for uniform irradiation of one third, two thirds, and the whole liver are 90 Gy, 47 Gy, and 31 Gy, respectively.
Transmission electron diffraction of the ordering transformation in crystalline C60.

Transmission electron diffraction is used to define the ambient-temperature structure of sublimated pure ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ crystals and examine the ordering transformation that occurs below 249 K. Convergent-beam electron-diffraction analysis of the symmetry of the [100] pattern for the ambient-temperature phase indicates an Fm3\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}m structure. Analysis of [100], [110], and [111] high-symmetry zone-axis diffraction patterns of the low-temperature ordered phase indicate that the structure belongs to space group Pa3\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}. Crystals with 〈111〉 (hexagonal plates) as well as those with other surface normals (rectangular 〈110〉 or 〈100〉 crystals) were found in the sublimated material. Electron-energy-loss near-edge fine structure demonstrates that significant bonding changes do not accompany the ordering. A twin with a (110) habit plane is identified in the ordered phase.
Strain-induced modifications of the band structure of In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/P-In/sub 0.5/Al/sub 0.5/P multiple quantum wells

The effect of strain on the band structure of In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/P-In/sub 0.5/Al/sub 0.5/P multiple quantum wells (MQW's) has been investigated from high-pressure and low-temperature photoluminescence measurements. The biaxial strain in the wells was varied between +0.6% compressive to -0.85% tensile strain by changing the well composition x from 0.57 to 0.37. Strain increases the valence band offsets in either tensile or compressively strained structures. Whereas relatively insensitive to tensile strain, the valence band offsets showed a strong dependence on the magnitude of the compressive strain. Good agreement is found between the measured valence band offsets and those predicted by the model solid theory, except for the largest compressively strained MQW's, for which the model calculations underestimate the measured valence band offset. Strain and the associated variations in composition also modified the separation among the well states associated with /spl Gamma//sub 1c/, L/sub 1c/, and X/sub 1c/. From these results, the bandgaps of each conduction band extrema were calculated in In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/P for 0.37<x<0.57 and compared with the predictions of the model solid theory.
Nuclear geography and allelic exclusion.

The mechanisms responsible for establishing allelic exclusion remain enigmatic. New data indicate that stochastic interactions of antigen-receptor alleles with repressive nuclear compartments may contribute to the mechanisms that support allelic exclusion.
Sex Typing: Construct and Measurement Issues.

This study examined the relationships among commonly used measures of sex typing. A sample of 101 children, three to five years of age, were each seen on three occasions and administered six different measures of sex typing. The results showed that relations among the various measures of sex typing were quite modest for girls and only moderate for boys. Gender constancy scores did not mediate the relationships among measures for either girls or boys. The results are interpreted as supporting a multidimensional view of children's sex typing and as urging caution in generalizing results based on single measures of sex typing.
Precision needle-tip localization during magnetic resonance imaging interstitial therapy

MRI-guided interventional procedures are critically dependent on accurate localization of an MRI-compatible needle used as a guiding device for laser fiber optic therapy. We present a scheme which utilizes the 3D imaging capability of the MRI modality and the 3D image processing capability of computer workstations to automatically and time-efficiently localize and display the tip of the needle on an oblique plane which cuts through the scanned object.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Removal of self-expandable metallic Wallstents

Background The self-expandable metallic stent is increasingly being used for management of malignant biliary strictures. In certain clinical situations, it also may be an alternative treatment for benign strictures. The ability to remove a metallic stent would be advantageous to the management of many biliary strictures, regardless of etiology. Methods Stent removal was considered in 18 patients with either covered or uncovered Wallstents placed for biliary obstruction. Indications for placement were the following: unresectable cancer (10), chronic pancreatitis (3), benign biliary stricture (3), impacted stone (1), and papillary adenoma (1). Observations Stent removal was successful in 17 patients. Mean follow-up after removal was 9 months. Thirteen removed stents were covered. Indications for removal were the following: occlusion (5), migration (3), facilitation of hemostasis (2), malposition (3), persistent cholestasis (1), stone extraction (1), stricture revision (1), gallbladder fossa abscess (1), and abdominal pain (1). Devices and techniques used for successful removal included a snare, an extraction balloon, and electrocoagulation combined with forceps. Conclusions Removal of uncovered Wallstents is difficult and typically requires a combination of techniques. Removal of covered Wallstents with a snare is relatively simple and safe, and can be followed immediately by corrective therapy. Insertion of a covered Wallstent should be considered as initial therapy when malignant biliary obstruction is suspected but unconfirmed.
Prosthodontic treatment of ectodermal dysplasia: A case report

Abstract Dental therapy as a phase in the treatment of ectodermal dysplasia is essential. The method of treatment of a patient with ectodermal dysplasia and associated oligodontia has been reported. As a result of prosthodontic therapy, the child has been improved esthetically, psychologically, and physiologically.
Pausing on the Path to Robustness

Heat-shock proteins (Hsps) maintain homeostasis by assisting protein folding, and the transcriptional regulation of Hsp-coding genes has long been under study. Sawarkar et al. (2012) now report in Cell that Hsp90 is itself a transcriptional regulator required for RNA polymerase pausing, contributing to rapid, robust induction of many genes.
Color multiplexing hybridization probes using the apolipoprotein E locus as a model system for genotyping.

Abstract Fluorescent hybridization probes were multiplexed for color genotyping of the apolipoprotein E locus using model oligonucleotide targets. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was observed during adjacent hybridization of 3′-fluorescein-labeled “donor” probes paired with 5′-labeled “acceptor” probes with different emission spectra reporting at codons 112 and 158. The acceptor dyes emitted at either 640 nm (LightCycler Red 640) or 705 nm (LightCycler Red 705) and were monitored with a LightCycler, a thermal cycler with an integrated fluorimeter. The color of the acceptor dye identified each site and the characteristic melting temperatures of the fluorescein-labeled probes identified single base changes within each codon. Color compensation of temperature-dependent spectral overlap was applied to completely separate each channel. Competition between the probes and the complementary strand for the target sequence decreased resonance energy transfer, indicating an advantage of single-stranded target. Hybridization probes of the same length, but different GC content are Tm shifted by the same amount during A:C mismatch duplex melting. Genotyping was optimal at both sites if melting curve analysis was preceded by a slow (1°C/s) annealing phase. Although each site preferred different concentrations of Mg2+ and target strand for optimal genotyping, conditions for multiplexing were found. This method, along with an appropriate amplification technique, should allow real-time multiplex genotyping from genomic DNA.
Macroscopic stochastic fluctuations in a one-dimensional mechanical system

This paper concerns the long-time behavior of a one-dimensional mechanical system, hard rods with equal masses and lengths interacting by elastic collisions. We have noticed that for much longer times than those at which the Euler equation is valid macroscopic observables develop stochastic behavior; this might be contrasted with the expected picture based on the description of the long-time behavior of the system in terms of a Navier-Stokes correction to the Euler equation. We propose a scheme for defining an operator reminiscent of the wave operator and of the M611er morphism in scattering theory, which could be considered in one case as defining the Navier-Stokes correction, while still being meaningful when the Navier-Stokes description fails. The model we consider is a system of hard core particles on the line moving with constant velocities except for elastic collisions. This is a system for which the hydrodynamic limit makes sense, but the Euler equation is not of the usual form, as the model has as many local conserved quantities as velocities in the system. Nevertheless, one carries out the hydrodynamic limiting procedure in the same way as for more physically realistic models: one introduces a scaling parameter e and imposes the condition that the state at time zero varies on a spatial scale e-1. Rescaling the time by the same factor, one obtains the Euter equation in the limit e~0. ~3~,~4) The degenerate nature of this model is offset by its mathematical tractability.
Postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity is a reliable predictor of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Summary Background : Measurement of oesophageal acid exposure parameters postprandially has been shown to distinguish gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients from normal individuals. Aims : To calculate the accuracy of postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity in diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Methods : Ambulatory 24-h pH studies of 626 patients were analysed retrospectively. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, defined as pH 4.2% of time, was identified in 305 subjects. Postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity was measured for 2 and 3 h after the largest meal peak as determined from gastric pH. Postprandial symptom-associated probability was calculated. Results : Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects had a greater postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity than non-gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects [median (IQR): 0.57 (0.08–2.66) vs. 0.03 (0.01–0.15) mmol*h/L]. Median postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity did not differ with gender or age in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and non-gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects (P > 0.05 for all). A 3-h postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity value of 0.121 mmol*h/L had a 71.1% sensitivity and 71.7% specificity in diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects with symptoms had a higher postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity than those without (P = 0.043), whereas non-gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects with and without symptoms did not differ (P = 0.74). The correlation between symptom-associated probability and postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity was poor (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: r = 0.15; non-gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: r = 0.25). Conclusion : Postprandial oesophageal integrated acidity provides a robust estimation of oesophageal acid exposure and may predict symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.
Fragrance material review on 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecanone.

Abstract A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecanone when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. 3-Methyl-1-cyclopentadecanone is a member of the fragrance structural group macrocyclic ketones and derivatives. The fragrance ingredient described herein is one of 11 structurally diverse C15, C16 and C17 compounds that include three saturated and eight unsaturated ketones. For the latter, the double bond is not adjacent (in conjugation with) to the ketone group. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to 3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecanone and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data were evaluated, then summarized, and includes: physical properties, acute toxicity, skin irritation, skin sensitization, phototoxicity, toxicokinetics, repeated dose, and genotoxicity data. A safety assessment of the entire macrocyclic ketones and derivatives will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al. (2011) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all macrocyclic ketones and derivatives in fragrances. Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2011. A Toxicologic and Dermatologic Assessment of Macrocylic Ketones and Derivatives When Used as Fragrance Ingredients.
Acoustic technology for land mine detection: past tests, present requirements, and future concepts

A recent blind test and two data collections at the US Army mien test lanes at Ft AP Hill have demonstrated the great potential for the use of acoustic technology to detect buried land mines. The acoustic system built by the University of Mississippi under a contract with the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate demonstrated a very high probability of detection, a very low false alarm rate, extremely good location accuracy, and significant standoff potential. A large number of papers are being presented at this conference that deal with various specific aspects of this program. This paper will present a broad but technical overview of this program. We will describe the capabilities of this approach and the areas in which improvements are being addressed. We will discuss briefly fusion with additional sensors, which will illustrate the manner in which acoustic technology can be integrate with other sensor to form a viable and robust mine detection system. We will present the present Army requirements and operational concepts that would meet these requirements.
The horizontal magnetic dance of the honeybee is compatible with a single-domain ferromagnetic magnetoreceptor

Abstract Although honeybees are able to sense the geomagnetic field, very little is known about the method in which they are able to detect it. The recent discovery of biochemically precipitated magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) in bees, however, suggests the possibility that they might use a simple compass organelle for magnetoreception. If so, their orientation accuracy ought to be related to the accuracy of the compass, e.g. it should be poor in weak background fields and enhanced in strong fields. When dancing to the magnetic directions on a horizontal honeycomb, bees clearly show this type of alignment behavior. A least-squares fit between the expected alignment of a compass and this horizontal dance data is consistent with this hypothesis, and implies that the receptors have magnetic moments of 5 × 10 −13 emu, or magnetite volumes near 10 −15 cm 3 . Additional considerations suggests that these crystals are slightly sub-spherical and single-domain in size, held symmetrically in their receptors, and have a magnetic orientation energy of approximately to 6 kT in the geomagneticfield. A model of a magnetite-based magnetoreceptor consistent with these constraints is discussed.
The single most polymorphic STR Locus: SE33 performance in U.S. populations

Abstract The STR locus SE33 (ACTBP2) located on chromosome 6 (6q14) is arguably the most polymorphic marker examined thus far by the forensic community with a heterozygosity of >0.95 in some populations. Three different primer sets were utilized in this study in order to assess the possibilities of primer binding site mutations. Population variation was measured in 460 U.S. Caucasian, 445 African American, 336 Hispanic, and 202 Asian samples along with mutation rates from almost 400 father–son pairs. In addition, the 10 genomic DNA components in NIST Standard Reference Material SRM 2391b were sequenced and found to exhibit a variety of additional base changes, insertions, and deletions outside of the SE33 repeat region.
A Velocity Map Imaging Spectrometer for Electron-Ion And Ion-Ion Coincidence Experiments With Synchrotron Radiation

We have built a velocity imaging (VMI) spectrometer optimized for angle-resolved photoionization experiments with synchrotron radiation (SR) in the VUV and soft X-tay range. The spectrometer is equiped with four electrostatic lenses that focus the charged photoionization products onto a position-sensitive multi-hit delay-line anode. The use of two additional electrostatic lens elements as compared to the standard design of Eppink and Parker [T.J.B. Eppink and D.H. Parker, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 68 (1997) 3477]provides better focusing of an extended interaction region, which is crucial for most SR applications. Furthermore, the apparatus is equipped with a second micro-channel plate detector opposite to the VMI spectrometer, enabling electron-ion coincidence experiments and thereby mass-resolved ion spectroscopy independent of the time structure of the synchrotron radiation. First results for the photofragmentation of CO2 molecules are presented.
Correlation between the behavior of nanocrystalline HCP metals and the dislocation model for the minimum grain size obtainable by milling

Abstract Recently, a dislocation model that quantitatively relates the minimum grain size obtainable by milling, d min , to several physical parameters, such as the activation energy for self-diffusion and the stacking fault energy, in a nanocrystalline (nc) material was developed. The development of the model was based on the suggestion that the minimum average grain size, d min , is the result of a balance between the formation of dislocation structure and its recovery by thermal processes. The predictions of the above model were found to be in good agreement with experimental data and trends reported for nc-FCC and nc-BCC metals. In this paper, the validity of the model to the description of the behavior of nc-HCP metals for which data on the minimum grain size, d min , are available is examined. Also, the general applicability of the model to other severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes is discussed.
Differential expression of ectoMg2+-ATPase and ectoCa2+-ATPase activities in human hepatoma cells.

Abstract A human hepatoma cell line (Li-7A) possesses ectoATPase activity which is activated by either Mg2+ or Ca2+. Both ectoMg2+-ATPase and ectoCa2+-ATPase hydrolyze other nucleoside triphosphates, are inactive with ADP and AMP, and are inhibited by both p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate (pCMPS) and 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid. Different Km values for ATP and pH curves are obtained for ectoMg2+-ATPase and ectoCa2+-ATPase. The specific activities of the two ATPases remain relatively constant through several days of cell growth after an initial decrease. In contrast, the specific activities of the two ATPases, especially the ectoCa2+-ATPase, increases continuously in Li-7A cells cultured in the presence of EGF, cholera toxin, and hydrocortisone. The ATPases of the factor-treated cells are also indiscriminate with respect to nucleoside triphosphate substrates; however, the kinetic constants for substrates are altered when compared to that of the untreated cells. Most strikingly, the sensitivity to inhibitors is greatly reduced. It is concluded that the long-term effect of EGF, cholera toxin, and hydrocortisone on the Li-7A cells is the induction or activation of a new or minor component of the ectoATPases, which is preferentially activated by Ca2+ and insensitive to pCMPS.
Quaternion Parameters in the Simulation of a Spinning Rigid Body

The use of quaternions in describing the orientation of a rigid body allows all possible attitudes to be sim ulated. The problem of gimbal lock encountered when using the more commonly understood Euler angles is avoided. The analog implementation of the quaternion description is given together with the transformations between quaternion parameters and Euler angles in order that the latter may be available for display.
Multiple redundancy removal during test generation and synthesis

Techniques of multiple redundancy removal (MRFE) during test generation are described in this paper. A redundant fault, once identified, is propagated forward and backward through the sensitized paths to identify other redundant faults in the circuit under test. The technique is also applied to the class of 'dropped faults' and 'untested faults'. This technique can also be applied to logic minimization during synthesis. >
Mapping leaf area index through spectral vegetation indices in a subtropical watershed

Leaf area index (LAI) has been associated with vegetation productivity and evapotranspiration in mathematical models. At a regional level LAI can be estimated with enough accuracy through spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), derived from remote sensing imagery. However, there are few studies showing LAI–SVI relationships in subtropical regions. The aim of this work was to examine the relationship between LAI and SVIs in a subtropical rural watershed (in Piracicaba, State of Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil), for different land covers, and to use the best relationship to generate a LAI map for the watershed. LAI was measured with a LAI-2000 instrument in 32 plots on the field in areas of sugar cane, pasture, corn, eucalypt, and riparian forest. The SVIs studied were Simple Ratio (SR), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), calculated from Landsat-7 ETM+ data. The results showed LAI values ranging from 0.47 to 4.48. LAI–SVI relationships were similar for all vegetation ty...
Insights From Teachers Who Analyzed Transcripts of Their Own Classroom Discussions

Ms. Bestin (all student and teacher names are pseudonyms) was a student in a special topics course that I taught for teachers in a master’s program at a southern regional university in the United States. The course focused teachers’ attention on discussion as a context for teaching and learning about comprehending texts. The teachers read about discussion and comprehension, watched video clips of text-based discussions, and participated in discussions themselves. These experiences provided a context for a major project that required teachers to tape record, transcribe, and analyze two transcripts of their own classroom discussions: one at the beginning of the course and one at the end. This article describes the transcript analysis process and provides specific examples of the insights that teachers gained as a result of their analysis. It also provides resources that teachers can use to engage in transcript analysis
A multi-agent system for automated genomic annotation

Massive amounts of raw data are currently being generated by biologists while sequencing organisms. Outside of the largest, high-profile projects such as the Human Genome Project, most of this raw data must be analyzed through the piecemeal application of various computer programs and searches of various public web databases. Due to the inexperience and lack of training, both the raw data and any valuable derived knowledge will remain generally unavailable except in published textual forms.Multi-agent information gathering systems have a lot to contribute to these efforts, even at the current state of the art. We have used DECAF, a multi-agent system toolkit based on RETSINA and TAEMS, to construct a prototype multi-agent system for automated annotation and database storage of sequencing data for herpesviruses. The resulting system eliminates tedious and always out-of-date hand analyses, makes the data and annotations available for other researchers (or agent systems), and provides a level of query processing beyond even some high-profile web sites.
Host-derived neoangiogenesis with short-term immunosuppression allows incorporation and remodeling of vascularized diaphyseal allogeneic rabbit femur transplants.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that living bone allotransplants can incorporate, remodel, and maintain mechanical properties without long-term immunosuppression in a fashion comparable to living autotransplants. For this, viability is maintained by repair of nutrient vessels and neovascularization from implanted host-derived vasculature. Microsurgically revascularized femoral diaphysis allotransplants were transferred from young male New-Zealand-White (NZW) into 4 groups of male Dutch-Belted (DB) rabbits. Short-term immunosuppression by tacrolimus (IS, groups 4 and 5) and host-derived neovascularization (NV) from implanted fascial flaps was used to maintain viability (groups 3 and 5) as independent variables. Group 2 received neither IS nor NV. Vascularized pedicled autotransplants were orthotopically transplanted in group 1. After 16 weeks, transplants were evaluated using radiologic, histologic, biomechanical, and histomorphometric parameters. Vascularized bone allotransplants treated with both short-term IS and host-derived NV (group 5) healed in a fashion similar to pedicled autotransplants (group 1). Their radiographic scores were higher than other groups. Groups with patent fascial flaps (3 and 5) showed significantly greater neoangiogenesis than ligated controls (2 and 4). Tacrolimus administration did not affect neoangiogenesis. Elastic modulus and ultimate stress were significantly greater in autogenous bone than in allotransplanted femora. Biomechanical properties were not significantly different among allotransplants. Bone turnover was decreased with IS, but increased with NV by the implanted fascial flaps. Living allogeneic femoral allotransplants treated with short-term IS and host-derived neoangiogenesis can lead to stable transplant incorporation in this rabbit model. The combination of both factors optimizes bone healing. Transplant mineralization is improved with neoangiogenesis but diminished with IS. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 763–770, 2009
Food Security of Older Children Can Be Assessed Using a Standardized Survey Instrument

Cognitive interviewing methods were used to adapt questions from the U.S. Food Security Survey Module for administration to children. Individual concurrent probing techniques using standardized probes were utilized to assess understanding of the items with 20 African American children (10 males, 10 females, aged 11-13 y). Item wording and response sets were revised, and small groups of boys (n = 5) and girls (n = 14) aged 12-15 y were asked to complete the 9-item survey. Retrospective probing techniques were then used to assess comprehension of items and response sets. Nine items were then piloted in a middle school using a self-administered format. Three hundred forty-five surveys were returned. The majority of the students were between 12 and 15 y (n = 215). Scaling analysis of the 345 completed surveys using statistical methods based on the Rasch measurement model indicated that the module measured a single underlying phenomenon (food insecurity) with sufficient reliability to be a useful tool. The measurable range of food insecurity was about 6 times the estimated measurement error, indicating that the scale could identify 3 categories of food security with reasonable reliability. A survey instrument that reliably measures food security status of individual children can provide researchers with an important tool to assess more accurately the individual-level effects of food security on nutritional status and mental and physical health among this population.
Effect of an imaginary combination coefficient on the global image variance in SPECT

Image reconstruction in SPECT with uniform attenuation is theoretically appealing as well as practically important. In this work, we investigated a class of reconstruction algorithms that are indexed by a complex combination coefficient. The class with a real combination coefficient proposed previously can be interpreted as a subclass of this new class. We studied theoretically and evaluated numerically the impact of the introduction of such a complex combination coefficient on the variances in reconstructed images. Specifically, we investigated theoretically as well as quantitatively whether and to what extent the introduction of a complex combination coefficient can further reduce the variances in SPECT images. Using the Shepp-Logan phantom, we evaluate quantitatively the difference of image variances obtained with the quasi-optimal algorithm that we proposed previously and the true optimal algorithm that is generally unobtainable without prior knowledge of the object.
Ventricular Tachycardia in Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Characterization of Ventricular Substrate and Outcomes of Catheter Ablation

Background— Cardiac sarcoid–related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rare disorder; the underlying substrate and response to ablation are poorly understood. We sought to examine the ventricular substrate and outcomes of catheter ablation in this population. Methods and Results— Of 435 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy referred for VT ablation, 21 patients (5%) had cardiac sarcoidosis. Multiple inducible VTs were observed with mechanism consistent with scar-mediated re-entry in all VTs. Voltage maps showed widespread and confluent right ventricular scarring. Left ventricular scarring was patchy with a predilection for the basal septum, anterior wall, and perivalvular regions. Epicardial right ventricular scar overlay and exceeded the region of corresponding endocardial scar. After ≥1 procedures, ablation abolished ≥1 inducible VT in 90% and eliminated VT storm in 78% of patients; however, multiple residual VTs remained inducible. Failure to abolish all inducible VTs was because of septal intramural circuits or extensive right ventricular scarring. Multiple procedure VT-free survival was 37% at 1 year, but VT control was achievable in the majority of patients with fewer antiarrhythmic drugs compared with preablation (2.1±0.8 versus 1.1±0.8; P <0.001). Conclusions— Patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and VT exhibit ventricular substrate characterized by confluent right ventricular scarring and patchy left ventricular scarring capable of sustaining a large number of re-entrant circuits. Catheter ablation is effective in terminating VT storm and eliminating ≥1 inducible VT in the majority of patients, but recurrences are common. Ablation in conjunction with antiarrhythmic drugs can help palliate VT in this high-risk population.
Chelation of Extracellular Zinc Inhibits Proliferation in 3T3 Cells Independent of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Expression

Depletion of zinc inhibits growth in animals and proliferation of cultured cells. Additionally, zinc can serve as an antioxidant protecting many compounds, including proteins, from oxidation. Regulation of cell division also involves insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) and its receptor, especially during late G1 phase, allowing progression of the cell to S phase with subsequent DNA synthesis. We examined the effects of zinc depletion from the culture media of Swiss 3T3 cells on the cell cycle and IGF-I receptor expression. Cells were exposed to reduced fetal bovine serum concentrations to induce growth arrest, then returned to normal fetal bovine serum concentrations with the divalent cation chelator diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid. Reducing the fetal bovine serum concentration did not induce quiescence in the cells as previously suggested. Zinc depletion reduced the proliferative fraction (S and G2/M phases) of the cell cycle. The addition of glutathione to the zinc-depleted media partially returned the proliferative fraction to the control level. Fetal bovine serum deprivation reduced IGF-I receptor expression whereas the absence of zinc had little effect on receptor expression. We conclude that depletion of zinc from culture media inhibits 3T3 cell proliferation independent of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor expression, and part of this inhibition is due to the antioxidant capacity of this divalent cation.
Overcomplete lifted wavelet representations for multiscale feature analysis

The lifting scheme was introduced as a flexible tool to construct compactly supported second generation wavelets and the wavelet transform. However because it is not translation invariant, the traditional lifting framework may not be good for multiscale feature analysis where translation-invariant characteristics are highly desirable. In this paper we address the following question: can the lifting scheme be used as a framework for overcomplete wavelet representations with multiscale feature analysis in mind? We address this question by investigating each stage of the multiscale analysis: split, dual lifting and primal lifting. We introduce a smoothing lazy wavelet in the split stage. We then show that only the dual lifting is necessary since the primal lifting required to compensate for the aliasing needs no longer exist. We also demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves better performance without introducing boundary artifacts that exist in the traditional methods.
Extending mental imagery in sigma

This article presents new results on implementing mental imagery within the Sigma cognitive architecture. Rather than amounting to a distinct module, mental imagery is based on the same primitive, hybrid mixed, architectural mechanisms as Sigma's other cognitive capabilities. The work here demonstrates the creation and modification of compound images, the transformation of individual objects within such images, and the extraction of derived information from these compositions.
Behavior-based worm detectors compared

Many worm detectors have been proposed and are being deployed, but the literature does not clearly indicate which one is the best. New worms such as IKEE.B (also known as the iPhone worm) continue to present new challenges to worm detection, further raising the question of how effective our worm defenses are. In this paper, we identify six behavior-based worm detection algorithms as being potentially capable of detecting worms such as IKEE.B, and then measure their performance across a variety of environments and worm scanning behaviors, using common parameters and metrics. We show that the underlying network trace used to evaluate worm detectors significantly impacts their measured performance. An environment containing substantial gaming and file sharing traffic can cause the detectors to perform poorly. No single detector stands out as suitable for all situations. For instance, connection failure monitoring is the most effective algorithm in many environments, but it fails badly at detecting topologically aware worms.
‘Baby looks very sad’: Implications of conversations about feelings between mother and preschooler

Conversations about emotion between preschoolers and their mothers constitute an important form of shared meaning which, as groundwork for the child's developing theory of mind. could be related to aspects of social-emotional development. A sample of 46 preschoolers and their mothers discussed photographs of infants showing eight emotions; mothers also simulated sadness and anger. Transcribed conversations were coded for frequency and function of emotion language. During both tasks, mothers talked more than their children about emotions; however, the frequencies of emotion utterances which served as unelaborated comments, or to guide the other's behaviour, did not differ for mothers and children. Older children and mothers explained emotions more overall; Cyear-olds commented on the babies' emotions more than 3-year-olds. Mothers' and children's emotion language were related in interpretable ways. Aspects of emotion language emitted by both mothers and children were related to indices of positive social-emotional development, such as emotion knowledge and positivity of emotional displays observed in the preschool.
Capillary Hemangioma of the Neck: Prenatal MR Findings

Prenatal MR findings of a case of extracranial capillary hemangioma simulating an encephalocele at sonography are reported. MR imaging had an adjunctive diagnostic role in excluding the possibility of an encephalocele. The capillary hemangioma had diffuse T2 hypointensity prenatally, which is atypical of postnatal imaging findings.
How clinicians feel about working in therapy with spouses of dementia patients.

Abstract Clinicians who provide psychotherapy to spouses or partners of persons with dementia were solicited through LISTSERVs of psychodynamically oriented organizations. Interviews were conducted with the 14 clinicians who responded. In the aggregate these clinicians provide psychotherapeutic service to scores of caregivers. The interviews highlight the challenges commonly encountered by psychotherapeutic work with this cohort of patients.
Defects and Doping

Point defects, unless they are neutral, manifest themselves as background doping or autodoping, and complicate attempts to dope the semiconductor in order to control its conductivity. Moreover, defects influence the radiative-recombination efficiency with adverse impact on the LED and laser performance. Unfortunately, GaN and related materials are rich in structural defects as well as point defects such as vacancies. It is therefore imperative that we discuss doping together with native defects.
Improving Organizational Communication and Cohesion in a Health Care Setting through Employee-Leadership Exchange

In the 1990s many health care organizations underwent reengineering. One of the unintended consequences of this process was a drop in employee morale. This article describes a project to improve morale in one hospital by fostering employees' constructive expression of dissatisfaction and of innovative ideas to senior leaders in the context of Employee Leadership Council meetings. Importantly, although formulated on the basis of employee suggestions, the hospital's president and chief executive officer initiated the project. After describing these councils, we examine the results of this experiment in employee-leadership exchange and explore the ramifications for the councils of the CEO's intimate involvement. Finally, we review lessons that might be transferable to other organizational settings as well as those that have implications for managerial understandings of organizational culture.
CNAReporter: a GenePattern pipeline for the generation of clinical reports of genomic alterations

Genomic copy number alterations are widely associated with a broad range of human tumors and offer the potential to be used as a diagnostic tool. Especially in the emerging era of personalized medicine medical informatics tools that allow the fast visualization and analysis of genomic alterations of a patient's genomic profile for diagnostic and potential treatment purposes increasingly gain importance.
End-to-end antenna selection strategies for multi-hop relay channels

Multi-hop relay channels use multiple relay stages, each with multiple relay nodes, to facilitate communication between a source and destination. Assuming a low-rate feedback link from the destination to each relay stage and the source, this paper proposes end-to-end antenna selection strategies to achieve maximum diversity gain in a multi-hop relay channel. For the full-duplex case, end-to-end antenna selection strategies are designed and proven to achieve maximum diversity gain by using a single antenna path (using single antenna of the source, each relay stage and the destination) with the maximum signal-to-noise ratio at the destination. For the half-duplex case, two paths with the two best signal-to-noise ratios in alternate time slots are used to overcome the rate loss with half-duplex nodes, with a small diversity gain penalty. To increase the multiplexing gain, a multiple stream end-to-end antenna selection strategy for full-duplex multi-hop relay channel is also proposed, where multiple data streams are transmitted simultaneously using multiple paths from the source to the destination.