cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ramelteon for the treatment of insomnia.

Abstract Background: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder with a significant potential for deleterious effects on activities of daily living, productivity, and overall quality of life. Ramelteon, a highly selective agonist for melatonin subtypes 1 and 2 receptors, is a hypnotic agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. Objective: This article reviews the pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and tolerability of ramelteon in the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. Methods: Relevant articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966 to July 2006), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970 to July 2006), EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (1980 to third quarter 2006), and Current Contents/Clinical Medicine (2005 week 32 to 2006 week 31). Search terms included ramelteon, TAK-375, melatonin agomist, melatonin receptor agonist, insomnia, and sleep disorders/drug therapy (MeSH). Results: A literature search revealed 12 randomized, controlled clinical trials that examined the efficacy or tolerability of ramelteon. In addition, 17 studies were reviewed for pharmacology and pharmacokinetic data. The references of the clinical trials and recent review articles were examined to ensure the comprehensiveness of the literature search. In 2 trials of patients with primary insomnia, patients treated with ramelteon 4 to 32 mg had significant reductions in latency to persistent sleep (LPS) compared with placebo ( P P P 70 minutes. Mean reported TST was significantly increased in the 4-mg group (P = 0.004). A second study in elderly patients found decreases in LPS with ramelteon 4 mg ( P P P P P P Conclusions: Based on this review, ramelteon, the first FDA-approved melatonin receptor agonist, represents a pharmacologic option for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty falling asleep. In patients with insomnia, treatment with ramelteon was generally well tolerated and resulted in modest but statistically significant decreases in LPS. In the absence of published trials comparing ramelteon with other sedative-hypnotic agents, it is not yet possible to determine its efficacy relative to other therapeutic options for insomnia.
FACTORS AFFECTING PANELISTS' PERCEPTIONS OF CURED MEAT FLAVOR

Several factors were tested for their ability to influence panelists' perceptions of flavor characteristics in cured meat. Factors found to influence panelists' judgments were score sheets, sample appearance and the co-presence of an oxidized or rancid flavor. Factors which did not affect panel scores significantly were type of product (i.e., ham vs hot dogs vs model system), internal processing temperature and amount of fat in samples. Evidence to date suggests that NaNO2 may produce a stronger and more desirable cured product flavor but that curing without NaNO2 would still produce a product that tasted “cured” provided that NaCl were also included in the formulation.
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II and long-term potentiation enhance synaptic transmission by the same mechanism

Abstract Ca(2+)-sensitive kinases are thought to play a role in long-term potentiation (LTP). To test the involvement of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaM-K II), truncated, constitutively active form of this kinase was directly injected into CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells. Inclusion of CaM-K II in the recording pipette resulted in a gradual increase in the size of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). No change in evoked responses occurred when the pipette contained heat-inactivated kinase. The effects of CaM-K II mimicked several features of LTP in that it caused a decreased incidence of synaptic failures, an increase in the size of spontaneous EPSCs, and an increase in the amplitude of responses to iontophoretically applied alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate. To determine whether the CaM-K II-induced enhancement and LTP share a common mechanism, occlusion experiments were carried out. The enhancing action of CaM-K II was greatly diminished by prior induction of LTP. In addition, following the increase in synaptic strength by CaM-K II, tetanic stimulation failed to evoke LTP. These findings indicate that CaM-K II alone is sufficient to augment synaptic strength and that this enhancement shares the same underlying mechanism as the enhancement observed with LTP.
Nature and significance of structural chromosome alterations induced by X-rays and radium.

(1) Description is given of the occurrence of the following types of chromosome reorganization observed in meiosis of, second and third generation progenies derived from treatment of Nicotiana tabacum with x-rays and radium: attachment, translocation, deletion, fragmentation, altered valency.(2) Attention is called to the relatively high degree of viability of these types of chromosome alteration as, they occur in N. tabacum.(3) Evidence is presented that stable derivatives, often.distinct in external morphology from the original race, may in certain organisms be products of these chromosome reorganization and provide material of interest both from the experimental and from the practical point of view.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease

Here we determined if vitamin D deficiency is more common in children with chronic kidney disease compared to healthy children. In addition, we sought to identify disease-specific risk factors for this deficiency, as well as its metabolic consequences. We found that nearly half of 182 patients (ages 5 to 21) with kidney disease (stages 2 to 5) and a third of age-matched 276 healthy children were 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficient (
Dynamic Strain Aging of Nickel-Base Alloys 800H and 690

The objective of the current investigation is to characterize the dynamic strain aging (DSA) behavior in alloys 800H and 690. Constant extension rate tests were conducted at strain rates in the range of 10−4 s−1 to 10−7 s−1and temperatures between 295 K and 673 K (22 °C and 400 °C), in an argon atmosphere. Maps for the occurrence of serrated flow as a function of strain rate and temperature were built for both alloys. The enthalpy of serrated flow appearance of alloy 800H was found to be 1.07 ± 0.30 eV.
Replacement of the ascending and transverse aortic arch: determinants of long-term survival

Abstract Background . Although little has been published on the natural history of aneurysms of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, long-term prognosis of untreated aneurysms is generally poor. We reviewed our 10-year experience in the repair of the ascending aorta and aortic arch to evaluate long-term outcome. Methods . Between January 1991 and May 2001, we repaired 423 aneurysms of the ascending aorta or aortic arch using profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. Median age was 65 years. Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) was used in 357 cases. Mean pump and RCP times were 139 and 33.9 minutes, respectively. Survival was ascertained by direct patient contact or by searching the social security death index. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier stratified analysis and by multivariate Cox regression. Results . Overall actuarial survival was 72% at 5 years and 71% at 10 years after surgery. Univariate analysis identified increasing age ( p p p p p p p p p Conclusions . Our experience indicates that repair of the ascending aorta and aortic arch can be accomplished with good long-term survival.
A Timely Reminder on Research Design and Interpretation

Leykin and DeRubeis (2009) persuasively argue that, just as correlation does not prove causation, so too allegiance-outcome association does not prove that investigator allegiance biases reported treatment outcomes. This commentary notes that similarly ambiguous links between investigator allegiance and study outcomes may be found in other areas of psychological research. This article also extends the “adversarial collaboration” strategy recommended by Leykin and DeRubeis for reducing any potential allegiance biases by describing some benefits of “neutrality collaboration,” studying the effects of treatments about which one has neither a positive nor a negative preconception.
Communication in all‐student mathematics groups

(1985). Communication in all‐student mathematics groups. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 24, Classroom Communication/Verbal and Nonverbal, pp. 8-13.
Negative discriminative stimuli provide information about the identity of omitted response-contingent outcomes

Three experiments using rats examined whether a signal for the nonreinforcement of an instrumental response (S-) provided information about the identity of the omitted outcome. In all three experiments, one stimulus was established as a signal for the nonreinforcement of a response that earned food pellets and another stimulus signaled the nonreinforcement of a response that earned liquid sucrose. Experiment 1 found that each S-suppressed another instrumental response trained with the same outcome significantly more than a response trained with a different outcome. Using a variant of this transfer design, Experiment 2 demonstrated that an S- was slower to develop discriminative control over a new response reinforced in its presence with the same outcome compared with an outcome different from the one whose omission-the S- had previously signaled. Experiment 3 examined transfer of the S- stimuli to a response trained with two outcomes, one of which had subsequently been devalued. Performance of this response significantly increased in the presence of a signal for the omission of the devalued outcome, but decreased in the presence of a signal for the omission of the valued outcome. These results suggest that S-s do provide information about the identity of omitted response-contingent outcomes.
Molecular mechanisms of posterior vitreous detachment.

To determine a molecular mechanism for posterior vitreous detachment and contraction of vitreous gel, the effects of serum components on bovine vitreous were systematically studied. Incubation of vitreous gel with calf serum caused a contraction of the gel accompanied by the release of a waterlike liquid. The low molecular weight fraction (Mr < 10000) of serum was ineffective in this process, whereas incubation of the vitreous with the high molecular weight fraction resulted in changes in the gel structure similar to those caused by serum alone. Individually, transglutaminase (factor XIIIa) was found to be most effective in inducing gel contraction. The effect was more pronounced when transglutaminase was used with fibronectin. Since transglutaminase is known to promote collagen-collagen or collagen-fibronectin-collagen cross-links, the contraction of the vitreous in this case can be attributed to the formation of similar cross-links.
Neuropsychiatric lupus in children

Results There were 120 children with SLE followed during the study period: 93 female (77.5%, M:F 3.4:1); 61 Hispanic (50.8%) and 34 African-American (28.3%). NPSLE affected 15 children (12.5%). Cognitive dysfunction was the most common manifestation, followed by significant headache, seizures, psychosis, and focal neurologic signs. NPSLE was diagnosed in the first year in 10/15 patients (67%). Abnormalities of brain magnetic resonance imaging were encountered in 10 patients (67%). Children with NPSLE had a significantly greater number of co-morbidities (end-stage renal disease, thrombocytopenia, and pancreatitis) than unaffected children with SLE (p<0.05). NPSLE was associated with a higher SLEDAI at diagnosis and the presence of anti-Smith antibodies (p<0.05). All patients received high-dose corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. NPSLE was associated with the occurrence of major infections, as well as a higher SLICC damage index, and mortality (p<0.05). Conclusions In this cohort NPSLE was associated with co-morbidities, major infections, and higher damage scores.
Simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and excision of ipsilateral branchial cleft fistula: A case report

Branchial cleft sinuses are congenital anomalies that usually present in childhood or early adulthood. It is uncommon that such a sinus will remain asymptomatic to the sixth decade of life. This case describes the presence of a second branchial cleft sinus in the setting of carotid artery disease, where both were treated surgically simultaneously without complication.
Introduction of Coho Salmon into the Coastal Waters of New Hampshire

(1974). Introduction of Coho Salmon into the Coastal Waters of New Hampshire. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 29-32.
Low-level lead exposure and elevations in blood pressure during pregnancy

BackgroundLead exposure is associated with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy; however, the magnitude of this relationship at low exposure levels is unclear.ObjectivesOur goal was to determin...
Comparing group and individual decision-making in risky environments

This dissertation completes salient group and individual experiments in two environments that differ as to whether or not an evaluative criterion exists to judge subject performance. The first environment is lottery-choice. No such criterion exists in a lottery-choice environment. Subjects base their decisions on their preference for risk. A lottery-choice experiment consists of a menu of paired lottery choices structured so that the crossover point to the high-risk lottery can be used to infer the degree of risk aversion. The results show a significant interaction exists between subject composition and lottery winning-percentage. Groups are more likely than individuals to choose the “safe” lottery in the lowest winning-percentages, but less likely to choose the “safe” lottery in the highest winning-percentages. This effect is also present in the sequenced experiment. Further, the sequenced experiment shows that group discussion results in a significant increase in the group’s risk aversion from the average risk preference of its members. Finally, the sequenced experiment shows making a decision in the group phase has an immediate impact on subsequent individual decisions compared to the subject’s initial decisions. The second environment is resource allocation. A resource allocation experiment consists of subjects making repeated decisions of how to divide an endowment into two assets, one of which the payoff is unknown. An evaluative criterion to the resource allocation problem exists, as there is a specific allocation that maximizes payoffs. However, subjects must learn the solution through search. Experimental results show: 1) group performance in the resource allocation experiment is not significantly different than individuals; 2) the predictions from a local search model are more consistent with group decisions than the predictions from a global search model; and 3) group risk preferences elicited through a separate lottery-choice experiment are not indicative of their performance in the resource allocation experiment.
Gq/G13 signaling by ET-1 in smooth muscle : MYPT1 phosphorylation via ETA and CPI-17 dephosphorylation via ETB

We analyzed the signaling pathways initiated by endothelin receptors ETA and ETB in intestinal circular and longitudinal smooth muscle cells. The response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) consisted of two ph...
Sex Differences in Predictability of Self-Disclosure for Instrumental and Terminal Values

values might be viewed as providing a reflection of the more general expressive or instmmental orientations. To speculate, the 'end states' described by terminal values appear congruent with the expressive orientation (reflecting the internal affairs of a system), while the 'modes of conduct' described by instrumental values appear congruent with the instrumental orientation (reflecting relationships between the individual and the environment). Values congruent with an individual's sex-role socialization and therefore with his life experiences are expected to be more meaningful to him than are values which are less congruent. Therefore, instrumental values are expected to be better predictors of behavior for males than terminal values, while "crminal values might be better predictors for females. In this study, it was hypothesized that instrumental values would be better predictors of reported self-disclosure by males than terminal values, while for females, terminal values would be better predictors than instrumental values. Self-disclosure has been traditionally considered an 'expressive' behavior and, therefore, as more sex-role appropriate for females than for males (2). If, for males, self-disclosure (an expressive behavior) is more strongly related to instrumental values than to terminal values, stronger evidence is provided for the notion that values which are congruent with a person's sex'1 wish to thank Mary Livingston. Gary Milford, and Tom Springer for comments and assistance with this manuscript. Request reprints from the author, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71270.
Effect of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate on the morphogenesis of fruit bodies ofSchizophyllum commune

Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate has been found to affect the normal development of fruit bodies in the basidiomyceteSchizophyllum commune. At a concentration of 10-3 M, cyclic AMP causes many fruit bodies to cease morphogenesis at an early stage. Those fruit bodies which continue development have either no gills or abnormal gills. A pronounced effect was also observed on the fruit bodies carrying a dominant mutant.
Observe and be guarded: the development and rupture of an abdominal aortic mycotic aneurysm in an afebrile hemodialysis patient with normal angiogram, and CT scan, and sterile blood cultures.

Despite the increased risk factors and a high incidence of bacteremia in hemodialysis patients, the presence of mycotic aneurysms in the hemodialysis population is virtually unknown. Only two cases have been previously reported in this population. The diagnosis is usually made by angiogram, magnetic resonance angiography, or computed tomography (CT) in the presence of bacteremia dem-onstrated by positive blood culture. We report a case of mycotic aneurysm in an afebrile hemodialysis patient with sterile blood cultures for whom the diagnosis was made after no aneurysm was seen on abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or magnetic resonance angiography. After a discussion of pathophysiology, we offer some insight into why so few mycotic aneurysms are reported in the hemodialysis population.
Vertical slit transistor based integrated circuits (veSTICs): feasibility study

In this presentation feasibility of Vertical Slit Transistor Based Integrated Circuits (VeSTICs) is evaluated. VeSTICs paradigm has been conceived as a response to the rapidly growing complexity of the traditional CMOS-based approach to challenges posed by the nano-scale era. This paradigm has been constructed using notion of a strict layout regularity imposed on VeSTIC layouts. The central element of the proposed vision is new junction-less Vertical Slit Field Effect Transistor (VeSFET) with twin independent gates. It is expected that VeSTICs will enable much denser, much easier to design, test and manufacure ICs, as well as, will be 3D-extendable and OPC-free. (More exhaustive description of this paradigm one can find at: http://vestics.org).This talk reviews all of the above VeSTICs characteristics. The focus of the talk, however, is on first silicon results (just obtained with simple SOI-like process), extremely low power and dependency between actual achievable transistor density and layout design rules. These characteristics are compared to a variety of traditional CMOS-based paradigms using the same infrastructure.
Relationship of paired-associate learning and single trial free recall

In an effort to understand the relationships among rote verbal-learning tasks, the correlation between components of single-trial free recall and paired-associate (PA) learning were examined. Correlations among three PA lists were high and followed a pattern commonly found in practice effects in motor skills. All PA scores correlated significantly with the learning of the primacy portion of free recall. Most significant is an indication that an analysis of free recall in terms of the serial-position curve is both fruitful and necessary.
Sampling strategies for total bacterial count of unpasteurized bulk milk.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess bulk tank milk sampling strategies for estimating total bacterial count (TBC). Nine large dairies in Wisconsin that produced and shipped at least 1 milk load per day were selected for this study. Total bacteria count was performed for each milk load produced during a 13-mo period. The milk shipment frequency was once (n=3), twice (n=4), or 3 times daily (n=2 farms). A threshold of 8,000cfu/mL was used to define increased TBC. The proportion of increased TBC (TBCref) during the study period was defined as the reference probability of an increased TBC for each farm. The number of milk loads that would need to be tested to estimate TBCref precisely (TBCref ± 0.05) in selected time periods (month, quarter, 6mo, or a year) was calculated assuming independence among TBC measurements. Sampling simulations (systematic or simple random sampling) were used to assess the validity of the independence assumption and compare different sampling schedules (every second, every third, or every seventh milk load) used for estimating TBCref in a 13-mo or 30-d TBC series. The number of milk loads tested to estimate TBCref depended on the time period of interest. For farms with daily milk shipments, at least 94% of all milk loads produced would need to be tested to estimate TBCref during a 30-d period. In contrast, when the period of interest was a year, reductions of up to 88% in the number of milk loads tested could be achieved. As the probability of an increased TBC departed from 0.50 toward 1 or 0, fewer samples were needed to estimate TBCref. A sampling schedule based on TBC performed on every second milk load resulted in 100% of 5,000 random samples (taken from the 13-mo TBC series) within the range of TBCref ± 0.05, indicating that sampling half of the milk loads would precisely estimate TBCref. Results of this study suggest that dairy consultants and processors can adjust the frequency of testing of milk loads depending on the goal of the milk quality monitoring program.
A Closed-Form Approach to Coupler-Curves of Multi-Loop Mechanisms

This paper presents a closed-form approach, based on the theory of resultants, for deriving the coupler curve equation of 16 8-link mechanisms. The solution approach entails successive elimination of problem unknowns to reduce a multivariate system of 8 equations in 9 unknowns into a single bivariate equation. This bivariate equation is the coupler curve equation of the mechanism under consideration. Three theorems which summarize key coupler curve characteristics, are outlined. The computational procedure is illustrated through two numerical examples. The first example addresses in detail some of the problems associated with the conversion of transcendental loop equations into an algebraic form using tangent half-angle substitutions. An extension of the proposed approach to the determination of degrees of input-output (I/O) polynomials and coupler curves for a general n-link mechanism is also presented.
Spinal anesthesia in severe preeclampsia: a historical analysis of a reappraisal

Abstract Spinal anesthesia has recently been reported acceptable in women with severe preeclampsia. For example, taken together, a randomized study and a large retrospective review, comparing epidural and spinal for Cesarean, confirmed average reductions in MAP were mild (15–25%) for both epidural and spinal. Only moderate fluid loads administered without iatrogenic pulmonary edema, and total ephedrine dose was similar in each study without severe pressor response to a small IV bolus. In the past, the recommendation to avoid spinal was based on physiological changes leading to these concerns centered on fear of severe hypotension induced by sympathetic blockade, extreme sensitivity to pressors, and maternal hypovolemia of a variety of causes. Rapid infusion of large volumes of crystalloid or colloid given to correct severe hypotension has been implicated as a cause of pulmonary edema. In the early 1980s, a landmark comparative study of anesthesia for Cesarean by Hodgkinson showed the stable hemodynamics of epidural in contrast to the severe pressor responses with general. In the 1990s, reappraisal of spinal has occurred with advances in technology. Spinal has become popular and found to be cost-effective. In addition, a nationwide study of anesthesia-related maternal mortality identified significantly increased risk with general anesthesia, as compared to spinal and epidural.
Fever in the immunocompromised host

Abstract The management of the immunocompromised host with fever presents the challenge of stabilizing the clinically ill patient and identifying the well-appearing patient who may harbor a potentially life-threatening infection, The authors critically review the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for serious infection and recommend strategies for the emergent evaluation and treatment of patients with fever and chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia, sickle cell anemia, or the human immunodeficiency virus. Although a patient with any of these three diseases is it particularly high risk for significant bacterial illness, the likely pathogens and natural course of disease differ, An awareness of the prevalence mid incidence of significant infection and risk factors for these infections allow the clinician to make appropriate decisions concerning treatment mid disposition.
Palaeoanthropology and modern human populations of Eastern Mediterranean

The International Congress of the Hellenic Anthropological Association (HAA), Athens, 21-23 November 2003
Uncovering and Developing Industry Clusters

ABSTRACT This paper observes that the existing definitions of clusters can be grouped under two categories: intra-industry clusters, and inter-industry clusters. Economic geographers and strategy researchers suggest “intra industry” conceptualisations of clusters. Regional economists subscribe to the Porterian model of clusters that focuses on inter-industry linkages. While we agree that clusters should assess inter-industry linkages, we argue that the process of identifying clusters should begin at the intra-industry level. A conceptual framework based on ‘strategic groups’ theory and value system analysis is developed as an explanation for industry clusters. Keywords: Strategic Groups, Value System Analysis, Regional Economics
Efficient fast interpolation architecture for soft-decision decoding of Reed-Solomon codes

Algebraic soft-decision decoding of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes delivers promising coding gains over conventional hard-decision decoding. The most computationally demanding step in the soft-decision decoding is bivariate polynomial interpolation. In this paper, we present a very efficient high speed interpolation architecture based on hybrid data representation. It is shown that the proposed architecture is inherently scalable and can be extensively pipelined to achieve very high clock speed. By further incorporating the maximum overlapping for computations at adjacent iterations, the proposed architecture demonstrates significant advantages over conventional designs. It is estimated that over 1 Gbps data rate can be achieved using the presented work with moderate complexity.
Renal sonography in the intensive care unit.

n patients with acute or progressive azotemia, a renal sonographic examination is usually requested to look for a postrenal obstructive cause. This is because in addition to being a noninvasive, portable, and relatively low-cost examination, sonography has a reported sensitivity of up to 98% for detecting renal obstruction.1 Nevertheless, because obstructive uropathy is lacking in most azotemic patients, is it really necessary and practical to do a sonographic examination in any and all patients with acute or progressive renal failure? This important question is addressed by Keyserling and associates,2 who in this issue of Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine evaluate the efficacy of renal sonography performed on patients in intensive care units with acute or acute-on-chronic renal failure. These authors evaluated 104 azotemic adult patients in an intensive care unit without clinical signs and symptoms of obstructive uropathy and discovered that only 1 patient had mild hydronephrosis, and in that case, it was not considered the cause of the renal insufficiency.2 Based on current Medicare reimbursement, the total cost for doing studies on these patients was calculated as greater than $13,000. The conclusion reached by these investigators was that because the diagnostic yield to exclude hydronephrosis in azotemic patients in intensive care units without predisposing causes for obstructive uropathy was so low, this examination is unnecessary. Additionally, because this is an economically wasteful study, it results in unnecessary cost to patients and to hospitals. These results parallel those of a previous report that evaluated the diagnostic yield of sonography in the evaluation of azotemic patients.3 In that study, the investigators divided the total patient population of 394 azotemic patients into 2 groups. One group included 119 patients considered at high risk for obstructive uropathy, and the remaining 275 patients were considered at low risk for obstructive uropathy. In the high-risk group, 35 patients (29%) were found to have postrenal urinary obstruction due to known pelvic malignancy, a palpable abdominal or pelvic mass, suspected or known calculus disease, bladder outlet obstruction, recent pelvic surgery, or suspected renal sepsis. Based on their cost calculation of $258 per sonographic study, the cost per case of hydronephrosis in the high-risk group was calculated as $877. In the low-risk group of patients, there were 2 cases of hydronephrosis (1%), and based on a similar fiscal calculation, the cost per case of hydronephrosis in this group was calculated as $23,650. Both of these reports confirm that other potentially useful information can be detected during these sonographic examinations. In particular, findings consistent with long-standing medical renal disease were observed in 30.5% of patients in the study in this issue2 and in 65% of patients in the study by Ritchie et al.3 Other renal findings
Ensuring compliance and consistency in an R&D environment: The PPPL Office of Project Management

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Office of Project Management (PMO) is responsible for oversight, coordination, and implementation of all project management processes. Per DOE Order 413.3B, the PMO will ensure the proper and standardized management of projects within the organization according to the Project Management
Induction of endometrial epithelial cell invasion and c-fms expression by transforming growth factor beta

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) levels are increased in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients, and endometrial cells express TGF-beta signaling components; however, little is known regarding the role of TGF-beta in endometriosis. Our objective was to examine the effects of TGF-beta1 on (i) the expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor encoded by the c-fms gene, (ii) transmesothelial invasiveness of endometrial cells, (iii) cellular proliferation and (iv) attachment to peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs). Effects of TGF-beta1 on c-fms mRNA expression were determined by real-time RT-PCR and c-fms cell-surface expression by flow cytometry. Effects of TGF-beta1 on the invasiveness of the immortalized endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) line EM42 and primary EECs were examined using a three-dimensional in vitro system modeling the peritoneum. Cellular proliferation and attachment to PMCs were also examined using established techniques. TGF-beta1 had little or no effect on cellular proliferation and endometrial cell attachment to PMCs. TGF-beta1 significantly induced the expression of c-fms mRNA and c-fms cell-surface expression. TGF-beta1 enhanced transmesothelial invasion by EM42 cells and EECs. Antagonists of TGF-beta1 signaling significantly inhibited both the induction of c-fms expression and cellular invasiveness, suggesting that additional studies are warranted to assess the therapeutic potential of TGF-beta antagonists in endometriosis.
Productivity Growth and its Components in Chinese Agriculture after Reforms

This study uses nonparametric Malmquist procedures to investigate the temporal and spatial nature of productivity growth and its components in Chinese agriculture over the period 1980‐1995. The results of this study indicate that total factor productivity grew at 2.4% annually with technical change augmenting the growth by 3.8% while efficiency change reduced productivity growth by 1.3%. For all provinces, 288 out of a total of 442 cases experienced productivity growth while the rest showed productivity regression during this post-reform period. Coexistence of improvement in technical change and retardation in efficiency change indicates the lack of success in diffusing the existing agricultural technology. Continuing innovation and efficiency improvement through capital investment, modern input use, and greater competitive market pressures are important for augmenting productivity growth in Chinese agriculture. China initiated agricultural reforms in the late 1970s as part of its economic transition program by decentralizing farm production decisions to family units. These reforms resulted in remarkable progress in the Chinese agricultural sector. Grain production grew at an average rate of about 3% annually during the 1978‐96 period. In 1996, grain production reached a record of 490 million tons. After two decades of progress, China has developed the capability to provide the basic food needs for 22% of the world’s population with only 7% of the world’s arable land. Many have attributed this high growth in agricultural productivity to institutional reforms, technological innovation, research investment, education improvement, and industrial growth (Fan, 1991; Koo and Duncan, 1997; Lin, 1992). Using provincial-level data and a growth accounting approach, Fan (1991) found that total factor productivity (TFP) in agriculture grew at an average rate of 2.1% per year during 1965‐86; 62% of this growth was attributed to efficiency improvement from institutional change, while the remaining 38% was imputed to technical progress. Huang and Rozelle (1996) noted that technical change was one of the most important factors that contributed to agricultural growth during the entire reform period, particularly after 1984. By employing a varying coefficient model, Kalirajan et al. (1996) found that during the pre-reform period (1970‐78) 20 out of 28 provinces had a negative TFP growth in agriculture. However, during the reform period (1978‐84) almost all provinces had a positive TFP growth with efficiency as the most dominant component, while 16 provinces had a negative TFP growth in the 1984‐87 period. Xu and Jeffrey (1997) noted the regional difference in the effects of technical progress on rice
Quincke's Disease: isolated uvulitis.

A 27 year-old previously healthy man complained of sudden onset of gagging and foreign-body sensation that awoke him. He reported one day of nasal and sinus congestion. He had become concerned when he saw his extremely enlarged uvula while looking in a mirror (Figure). He had no fever, throat pain, or difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking. Prior to going to bed, he had taken an over-the-counter cold and allergy medication which he had taken previously without any adverse effects; he was not taking any other medications. He was admitted to the intensive care unit overnight for close observation and treated with nebulized racemic epinephrine, intravenous antihistamines and steroids. Empiric antibiotics directed against the most common infectious agents, Haemophilus and Streptococcus species were given.1 He had rapid improvement in his symptoms over the next 24 hours and was discharged home. Uvulitis can be caused by mechanical trauma, chemical or thermal injury, infection, or angioedema of immunologic or non-immunologic origin.2 Figure Enlarged uvula.
Isolation of a cDNA encoding a growth-arrest associated gene and characterization of its regulation.

We are interested in understanding the molecular events associated with the growth-arrest of vascular SMCs. We constructed a subtracted cDNA library enriched in nucleotide sequences associated with quiescent SMCs. This library was screened with similarly subtracted 32P-labeled cDNAs to identify growth-arrest associated cDNA clones. Characterization of 19 of these cDNA clones revealed that 9 hybridized to mRNAs that exhibited a 2–3 fold increase in growth-arrested SMCs. In addition, two other cDNAs hybridized to a 5 Kb mRNA that was elevated approximately 10-fold in high density growth-arrested SMCs. Genomic Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequencing analysis indicated that these cDNAs encoded the same gene (LG7) and that this gene may be a member of a multigene family or that it may contain a sequence shared by other unrelated genes. Augmented expression of LG7 was associated with both high cell density and serum deprivation induced growth-arrest. LG7 mRNA expression was down-regulated when SMCs were incubated with FBS or with reagents that arrest cells in early S-phase. Additional analysis with cell cycle specific inhibitors indicated that LG7 mRNA levels were also low when cells were blocked at the G2 phase of the cell cycle but blockage at mitosis resulted in an elevated level of LG7 mRNA. We further demonstrated that the expression of LG7 was dependent on the presence of a relatively labile protein since protein synthesis inhibitors specifically blocked the expression of this mRNA but not the mRNA expression of α1(III) collagen or ferritin H-chain. Finally, we demonstrated that Bt2cAMP was able to induce mRNA expression of LG7 within 2 h, suggesting that this gene may be directly regulated via the cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase pathway.
Pauline Viardot, Travelling Virtuosa

Nineteenth-century prima donnas were continually on the move, and making a living as a famous diva meant travelling as far and as wide as possible under conditions that were not always terribly pleasant. Pauline Viardot’s life was no exception to this rule. Her journeys have been amply documented by her biographers with the intriguing exception of one of the most important trips she took in the later years of her operatic career: during the months straddling 1857 and 1858, Viardot visited Warsaw and various cities in Germany, where she appeared in opera productions as well as in public and private concerts. While she was away, she wrote to her husband Louis every day—long, chatty letters that often filled numerous pages. Throughout each of these communications she wove detailed descriptions about the music she sang, the people she encountered, and the money she earned. These letters, in other words, provide a clear and nearly unprecedented picture of the life of a nineteenth-century virtuosa on the road. In this article, the focus is on the letters that she wrote to Louis over the course of this tour. As John Rosselli has demonstrated in the person of the nineteenth-century impresario, the complexities of life on the road were manifold, generating a heightened level of uncertainty and anxiety that seeped into every interaction with other artists traversing the same rocky terrain. The letters Viardot wrote during her trip to Warsaw and Germany provide a vivid and unusually detailed picture of these vagaries from a diva’s perspective.
Pathology of the Mononuclear Cell Leukemia of Fischer Rats. I. Morphologic Studies

Pathological evaluations were done on 205 rats with mononuclear cell leukemia. Leukemia was diagnosed in 22.2% of males and 20.4% of females with significant risk beginning at 20 months of age. Mononuclear cell leukemia was responsible for 50% of early deaths in two-year studies. Clinically, rats became depressed, pale, icteric and had palpably enlarged spleens. Gross lesions included splenomegaly, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and mottled livers. Hemorrhages occurred in the lungs, brain, and lymph nodes. Histological examination demonstrated that spleen and liver were most consistently and seriously involved, although numerous other organs contained leukemic infiltrates of variable severity. Spleens exhibited diffuse leukemic infiltration of the red pulp, follicular lymphoid depletion, and decrease in both extramedullary hematopoiesis and hemosiderin. Liver lesions consisted of diffuse centrilobular degeneration and necrosis. Erythrophagocytosis by tumor cells was common in the spleen and observed in liver, lymph nodes, and adrenals. The disease appeared to originate in the spleen. Bone marrow infiltration occurred late relative to spleen involvement and was present in less than half of the rats.
User-perceived latency driven voltage scaling for interactive applications

Power has become a critical concern for battery-driven computing systems, on which many applications that are run are interactive. System-level voltage scaling techniques, such as dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) and adaptive body biasing (ABB), have been shown to reduce energy consumption effectively. Previous works on DVS and ABB exploit low CPU utilization of the processor to drive voltage scaling. This has become inadequate for modern interactive applications involving high CPU usage. In this work, we target computer responsiveness during voltage scaling to exploit more opportunities for energy reduction. Instead of CPU utilization, we use the user-perceived latency, the delay between user input and computer response, to drive voltage scaling. Considering the tradeoff between energy consumption and computer responsiveness during voltage scaling not only reduces energy consumption effectively, but also ensures good computer responsiveness for interactive applications. Experimental results show that for the 70nm technology, during the execution of seven commonly-used interactive applications, the energy consumption of the processor using user-perceived latency driven DVS is reduced by an average of 37.3%, and the user-perceived latency by an average of 18.3%, compared to CPU utilization driven DVS. If both DVS and ABB are performed simultaneously based on the user-perceived latency, then the energy consumption is reduced by another 38.9% compared to when DVS is performed alone, while maintaining a similar computer responsiveness level. We have implemented user-perceived latency driven voltage scaling under Linux with X Window system. However, the methodology is extensible to other operating systems as well.
Exploration of fusion conditions in radio frequency discharge cavitons

Analyse de la generation experimentale des neutrons de fusion dans des decharges HF dans le deuterium de faibles puissance et tension, incluant les resultats recents sur la presence de forts champs electriques dans les plasmas inhomogenes. Les energies d'oscillation des ions de 10 keV obtenues permettent d'expliquer le taux de generation des neutrons observe de 10 5 par seconde
Using a low-cost open source hardware development platform in teaching young students programming skills

The teaching of programming skills to young students is often described by those educators involved as problematic at best. Student issues like mathematical maturity, readiness for complex thought, basic problem solving skills, short attention span especially related to the boredom of traditional programming teaching methodologies, and the lack of exciting problems and their solutions with respect to programming assignments contribute to the angst of many a programming instructor. A small fraction of students who "were just made for programming" always seem to succeed at whatever programming problem is given to them. However, a majority of students, especially precollege and college freshmen tend to have difficulty in overcoming these issues. It is with that observation that something new, in terms of programming pedagogy, needed to be investigated by this paper's authors. An ideal opportunity requiring successful programming instruction for 7-12 graders in the local metropolitan area presented itself in the winter of 2012. The students were involved in a statewide competition where groups of students self-selected into project options offered by various sponsoring institutions. Under the "Technology" choice heading of the state program, the student team and the instructor agreed to program a microprocessor to send messages in International Morse Code. The object of the exercise was to learn basic programming skills and to apply them to solving a problem. The hook was to do something brand new the students had never engaged in, keeping their attention on the end goal, and to see the immediate real-time results of some programming effort along the development cycle as the completed final program took form. The effort was a resounding success; the students learned in a few Saturday morning sessions more about programming than the authors have experienced over weeks of effort in traditional programming classes at the college freshman level.
In Vitro Selection of Resistance in Haemophilus influenzae by Amoxicillin-Clavulanate, Cefpodoxime, Cefprozil, Azithromycin, and Clarithromycin

Abilities of amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, azithromycin, and clarithromycin to select resistant mutants of Haemophilus influenzae were tested by multistep and single-step methodologies. For multistep studies, 10 random strains were tested: 5 of these were beta-lactamase positive. After 50 daily subcultures in amoxicillin-clavulanate, MICs did not increase more than fourfold. However, cefprozil MICs increased eightfold for one strain. Clarithromycin and azithromycin gave a >4-fold increase in 8 and 10 strains after 14 to 46 and 20 to 50 days, respectively. Mutants selected by clarithromycin and azithromycin were associated with mutations in 23S rRNA and ribosomal proteins L4 and L22. Three mutants selected by clarithromycin or azithromycin had alterations in ribosomal protein L4, while five had alterations in ribosomal protein L22. Two mutants selected by azithromycin had mutations in the gene encoding 23S rRNA: one at position 2058 and the other at position 2059 (Escherichia coli numbering), with replacement of A by G. One clone selected by clarithromycin became hypersusceptible to macrolides. In single-step studies azithromycin and clarithromycin had the highest mutation rates, while amoxicillin-clavulanate had the lowest. All resistant clones were identical to parents as observed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The MICs of azithromycin for azithromycin-resistant clones were 16 to >128 micro g/ml, and those of clarithromycin for clarithromycin-resistant clones were 32 to >128 micro g/ml in multistep studies. For strains selected by azithromycin, the MICs of clarithromycin were high and vice versa. After 50 daily subcultures in the presence of drugs, MICs of amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefpodoxime against H. influenzae did not rise more than fourfold, in contrast to cefprozil, azithromycin, and clarithromycin, whose MICs rose to variable degrees.