cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurons associated with the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles ofDrosophila melanogaster

The anatomy of the neurons associated with the six fibers formingthe dorsal longitudinal flight muscle (DLM) of Drosophila melanogaster has been investigated using a horseradish peroxidase label. The two dorsal-most fibers are innervated by the same neuron whose cell body is in the dorsal, contralateral, mesothoracic region of the thoracic ganglion. The ventral-most fourfibers are innervated by four neurons whose cell bodies are clusteredin the ventral, ipsilateral, prothoracic region. The processes ofallfive of these cells ramify extensively in the dorsal part of theipsilateral and contralateral mesothoracic neuromeres. A large interneuron has been discovered which is associated with the DLM and whose cell body is located contralaterally. Several neurons with small cell bodies on the ventral midline of the mesothoracic neuromere are also consistently labeled. A single fiber projects dorsally from a midline cell body, forms a Y-branch near the top of the ganglion and apparently sends an axon into each posterior dorsal mesothoracic nerve (PDMN) subsequently innervating the DLM.
Radar reflectivity of bare and vegetation-covered soil

Radar sensitivity to soil moisture content has been investigated experimentally for bare and vegetation-covered soil using detailed spectral measurements obtained by a truck-mounted radar spectrometer in the 1-8 GHz band and by airborne scatterometer observations at 1.6, 4.75, and 13.3 GHz. It is shown that radar can provide quantitative information on the soil moisture content of both bare and vegetation-covered soil. The observed soil moisture is in the form of the soil matric potential or a related quantity such as the percent of field capacity. The depth of the monitored layer varies from 1 cm for very wet soil to about 15 cm for very dry soil.
Akt, 14-3-3ζ, and vimentin mediate a drug-resistant invasive phenotype in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Development of resistance to the CHOP chemotherapeutic regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) remains a major cause of treatment failure and mortality in approximately 40% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We established CHOP-resistant DLBCL cells as a model system to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in multidrug resistance. Two-dimensional differential in-gel (DIGE) analysis identified 10 differentially expressed proteins between CHOP-sensitive and -resistant DLBCL cells that play roles in glycolysis (triosephosphate isomerase-1, enolase-1), cytoskeletal structure (ezrin, vimentin, tubulin-specific chaperone B), purine biosynthesis (serine hydroxymethyltransferase), calcium binding (sorcin), and apoptosis (p53, 14-3-3ζ, Akt). Akt, 14-3-3ζ, and vimentin were up-regulated in CHOP-resistant DLBCL cells. We showed previously that siRNA-mediated knockdown of 14-3-3ζ reversed CHOP resistance in DLBCL cells (Maxwell et al., J Biol Chem 2009;284:22379–2238...
Are women who are Jehovah's Witnesses at risk of maternal death?

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the rates of obstetric hemorrhage and maternal mortality in women who are Jehovah's Witnesses and to evaluate a protocol that uses erythropoietin to optimize the red blood cell mass before delivery. Study Design: Obstetric outcomes were described for all of the women who were Jehovah's Witnesses and who delivered at Mount Sinai Medical Center during an 11-year period. The risk of maternal death was compared with our general obstetric population during this interval. Results: A total of 332 women who were Jehovah's Witnesses had 391 deliveries. An obstetric hemorrhage was experienced in 6% of this population. There were 2 maternal deaths among the women who were Jehovah's Witnesses, for a rate of 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births versus 12 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (risk ratio, 44; 95% CI, 9-211). Erythropoietin was associated with a nonsignificant increase in hematocrit level. Conclusion: Women who are Jehovah's Witnesses are at a 44-fold increased risk of maternal death, which is due to obstetric hemorrhage. Patients should be counseled about this risk of death, and obstetric hemorrhage should be aggressively treated, including a rapid decision to proceed to hysterectomy when indicated. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185: 893-5.)
Comparative metabolic activity of brain slices of rats infected with a pathogenic and a non-pathogenic trypanosome evidenced by cell population and respiratory activity.

Six experiments were performed to compare metabolic activity of brain slices of rats infected with Trypanosoma rhodesiense and Trypanosoma lewisi, “E” strain. For each parasite, rats were divided into five groups: — group A — inoculated with 100 living cells of the trypanosome; group B — inoculated with the metabolic products of the trypanosome; group C — inoculated with the homogenate of the trypanosome; group D — inoculated with normal physiological saline; group E — uninoculated. Oxygen consumption of brain slices was measured with Warburg respirometers, using 100 mg samples of brain slices in 15 ml flasks. Five rats from group A were reserved to examine development of parasitemia in peripheral blood. The number of trypanosomes was estimated by hemacytometer counts. Brain slices of rats inoculated with living cells of T. rhodesiense showed a 68% to 354% increase in oxygen consumption; those of rats inoculated with the homogenate of T. rhodesiense showed an increase of 6% to 345%. Brain slices of rats inoculated with living cells and homogenate of T. lewisi showed an increase of 4% to 425% and 2% to 312%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between respiratory rates of brain slices of rats that were inoculated with trypanosome metabolic products, saline and uninoculated controls. In rats inoculated with T. rhodesiense, density of parasitemia sharply increased from day 2 to 7. Death occurred on day 7. In rats inoculated with T. lewisi, parasitemia steadily increased from day 2 to 14, then gradually decreased from day 15 to 30, after which trypanosomes disappeared from the blood.
An integrated temporal data model incorporating time series concept

Abstract Most temporal data models have concentrated on describing temporal data based on versioning of objects, tuples or attributes. The concept of time series, which is often needed in temporal applications, does not fit well within these models. The goal of this paper is to propose a generalized temporal database model that integrates the modeling of both version-based and time-series based temporal data into a single conceptual framework. The concept of calendar is also integrated into our proposed model. We also discuss how a conceptual Extended-ER design in our model can be mapped to an object-oriented or relational database implementation.
Middle ear inflation for diagnosis and treatment of otitis media with effusion.

Abstract An adult (18 years), healthy, male subject with persistent bilateral middle ear (ME) underpressure and a history of recurrent otitis media into his teen years was identified. The response of his MEs to air inflation was evaluated and showed an immediate pressure increase after a Valsalva maneuver followed by a rapid pressure drop to approach the pre-inflation levels. That response is consistent with the presence of ME effusion, which was not diagnosed by otoendoscopy or tympanometry, but was visualized bilaterally within the mastoid regions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient was treated for 25 days with ME inflation (3/day) and then re-examined. On each treatment day, he recorded his ME pressure using tympanometry before and after one inflation maneuver. The patient’s compliance with the treatment protocol was high, and successful gas transfers were documented on most days. Over the course of treatment, pre-inflation ME pressure became more normal bilaterally. When compared to the pre-treatment test, the post-treatment inflation test showed a similar rate of ME pressure decrease, but significantly higher terminal pressures. On follow-up but not during the pre-treatment period, discrete changes in ME pressure attributable to ET openings were noted during test sessions. MRI documented lesser amounts of effusion in the mastoid, but not complete disease resolution. The significance of these observations to the design of a well controlled clinical trail of ME inflation as a treatment for otitis media is discussed.
Oligodimethylsiloxane Linked Cyanate Ester Resins

A series of dimethylsiloxane linked cyanate ester monomers (NCOC6H4(CH2)3(Si(CH3)2O)nSi(CH2)3C6H4OCN, n = 1, 2, 3) have been synthesized and characterized. Monomer melting points range from 5 to −12 °C, and characterization includes 1H, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopies and DSC. Thermoset formation occurs by a cyclotrimerization of the cyanate group to a cyanurate structure. Cured resins are homogeneous rubbery castings with Tg ranging from 15 to −43 °C. Dielectric constants display little dependence on siloxane chain length but a strong dependence on frequency (2.5/15 GHz; 2.85/1 GHz). The corresponding loss tangent increases with siloxane chain length and displays a small frequency dependence.
Association of SLC6A4 variants with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a large multicenter US family study

Genetic association studies of SLC6A4 (SERT) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been equivocal. We genotyped 1241 individuals in 278 pedigrees from the OCD Collaborative Genetics Study for 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, for the linked polymorphic region (LPR) indel with molecular haplotypes at rs25531, for VNTR polymorphisms in introns 2 and 7 and for a 381-bp deletion 3' to the LPR. We analyzed using the Family-Based Association Test (FBAT) under additive, dominant, recessive and genotypic models, using both OCD and sex-stratified OCD as phenotypes. Two-point FBAT analysis detected association between Int2 (P = 0.0089) and Int7 (P = 0.0187) (genotypic model). Sex-stratified two-point analysis showed strong association in females with Int2 (P<0.0002), significant after correction for linkage disequilibrium, and multiple marker and model testing (P(Adj) = 0.0069). The SLC6A4 gene is composed of two haplotype blocks (our data and the HapMap); FBAT whole-marker analysis conducted using this structure was not significant. Several noteworthy nonsignificant results have emerged. Unlike Hu et al., we found no evidence for overtransmission of the LPR L(A) allele (genotype relative risk = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.77-1.60); however, rare individual haplotypes containing L(A) with P<0.05 were observed. Similarly, three individuals (two with OCD/OCPD) carried the rare I425V SLC6A4 variant, but none of them passed it on to their six OCD-affected offspring, suggesting that it is unlikely to be solely responsible for the 'OCD plus syndrome', as reported by Ozaki et al. In conclusion, we found evidence of genetic association at the SLC6A4 locus with OCD. A noteworthy lack of association at the LPR, LPR-rs25531 and rare 425V variants suggests that hypotheses about OCD risk need revision to accommodate these new findings, including a possible gender effect.
The design and implementation of hierarchical software systems with reusable components

We present a domain-independent model of hierarchical software system design and construction that is based on interchangeable software components and large-scale reuse. The model unifies the conceptualizations of two independent projects, Genesis and Avoca, that are successful examples of software component/building-block technologies and domain modeling. Building-block technologies exploit large-scale reuse, rely on open architecture software, and elevate the granularity of programming to the subsystem level. Domain modeling formalizes the similarities and differences among systems of a domain. We believe our model is a blueprint for achieving software component technologies in many domains.
A new anesthesia workstation design

The team believes this modular approach allows different manufacturers to compete and collaborate. The principal units have a value when used alone or in conjunction with each other. For example, the anesthesia machine (chassis and ventilation unit alone) can be safely used to provide an anesthetic, and would provide excellent monitoring using capnometry and oxygen consumption. The infusion controllers can be used in both critical care and in the operating room.
The Impact of Listing Latin American ADRs on the Risks and Returns of the Underlying Shares

This paper examines the risks and returns of Latin American stocks following American depository receipt (ADR) listings in U.S. equity markets and finds no systematic change in their volatility. This finding differs from previous results for ADR introduction on European and Asian stocks, although it is consistent with several prior findings on international stock listings. Importantly, it supports the predictions of Domowitz, Glen, and Madhavan’s 1998 model of international cross-listings. This model predicts that the effects of such listings will differ across stocks because the net effect is indicative of the specific trade-off for each individual stock between benefits of enhanced intermarket competition and costs stemming from the diversion of information-linked orders out of the domestic market.
Analysis of protocol variations on DNA yield

A modified alkaline lysis method for preparing plasmid DNA from bacterial cells has been developed for automation implementation. The objective of this study was to develop a simplified centrifuge-based protocol that can process samples in a microwell plate. These manual experiments and parametric studies show that the alkaline lysis method can be modified significantly to enable DNA preparations to be done rapidly and reliably by an automated system. The conclusions of this study were (a) centrifugation at < 1500 g is sufficient, (b) centrifugation times need not be extended to compensate for the reduced force, (c) reactions can be done at room temperature, (d) reagent volumes can be reduced over those typically used, and (e) certain reagents can be combined to simplify the handling of fluids.
Tertiary faulting beneath Wadi Al-Batin (Kuwait)

Geophysical (electric logs and seismic lines) and hydrological data (pumping test) have been utilized to determine the structural character of faults beneath the Wadi Al-Batin. These Miocene–late Eocene faults are oriented parallel to the southern Arabian Shield fault lines, which trend northeast-southwest. Three subsurface cross sections were correlated to seismic lines and pumping test data. Seismic lines show a discontinuity within the stratigraphy as they pass through fault lines, and the pumping test shows a break in the drawdown slope as it passes through barrier boundaries.
A textual interpretation of police organization: The dark side of technology

A recent trend among police scholars has been to multiply qualitative research approaches with regard to the study of police organizations. One such method, sometimes called textual interpretation, is hermeneutics. We apply this method to an essay written in the late 1930s about the increasingly technological nature of social organizations under the title The failure of technology: Perfection without purpose. Our intent, by way of studying this important essay, is to interpret what it has to say about the nature of organizations ‐ in this case, police organizations ‐ and the social problems these organizations are created to address. We first discuss the hermeneutic tradition in general and its application to the social sciences in particular. We then apply this approach to knowing to the failure of technology with an eye to the essay's implications for the increasing technical nature of police organizations. Finally, we discuss how police organizations might begin to respond to this increase in technics....
Regulation of hematopoietic stem cells by bone marrow stromal cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specialized microenvironments (niches) in the bone marrow. The stem cell niche is thought to provide signals that support key HSC properties, including self-renewal capacity and long-term multilineage repopulation ability. The stromal cells that comprise the stem cell niche and the signals that they generate that support HSC function are the subjects of intense investigation. Here, we review the complex and diverse stromal cell populations that reside in the bone marrow and examine their contribution to HSC maintenance. We highlight recent data suggesting that perivascular chemokine CXC ligand (CXCL)12-expressing mesenchymal progenitors and endothelial cells are key cellular components of the stem cell niche in the bone marrow.
Role of Rel/NF-κB transcription factors in apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the 10 most common human carcinomas in the world. The mechanism by which HCC cells resist apoptosis induced by various treatment modalities is poorly understood. METHODS The authors sought to determine whether Rel/NF-κB transcription factors play a key role in controlling apoptosis in human HCCcells. We assessed constitutive and inducible activation of NF-κB in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive (Hep3B) and in hepatitis virus-negative (Chang, HepG2) HCC cells, as well as the role of known inhibitors of NF-κB activity. RESULTS The current study data demonstrate that 1) RelA/NF-κB activity is activated constitutively in Hep3B cells, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays; 2) RelA/NF-κB reporter gene activity is inhibited specifically by dominant-negative mutants of IκBα, IKK1, IKK2, MEKK1, and MEKK3 and it is activated by overexpression of wild-type MEKK3, suggesting that upstream kinase cascades induce phosphorylation of IκBα and activate RelA/NF-κB in Hep3B cells; 3) overexpression of the HBV x gene fails to activate NF-κB in HepG2 and Chang cell lines; 4) The NF-κB–inducible gene, bcl-xl, is overexpressed in Hep3B cells and is inhibited by the proteosome inhibitor PS341, which prevents IκBα degradation and RelA/NF-κB activation; and 5) inhibition of constitutive RelA/NF-κB activity by PS341 sensitizes Hep3B cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with the role of RelA/NF-κB activity in the regulation of apoptosis through activation of its downstream target genes and suggest that signaling pathways that control RelA/NF-κB activity may be important targets for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of human HCC. Cancer 2002;95:1696–705. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10829
Governance Implications of the Global Financial Crisis: United States Experience

In the financial debacle, public and private organizations failed to protect owners and stakeholders from calamity. Given the immense financial bubble, could improved governance have made a difference? Many large complex financial institutions may not be sufficiently governable to avoid unpleasant major surprises. Ponderous processes of enacting laws and regulations, and the substantial influence of powerful stakeholders in those processes, mean that fluid markets are likely to mitigate or even avoid the impact of regulatory improvements that policymakers suggest. Better information must flow to decision makers, but the dynamics of a bubble may impede effective risk management by financial firms and government.
Optical network requirements for cloud douglas freimuth

The cloud computing model’s acceptance is accelerating and the network is an essential enabler. This tutorial will describe the cloud computing model and relate the requirements of dynamic cloud networks for carrier NFV and large enterprise cloud networks.
Developmental regulation of corticosteroid-binding globulin biosynthesis in the baboon fetus.

The present study determined the roles of estrogen and cortisol in maternal and fetal corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) levels and fetal hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the baboon. Samples of fetal liver, kidney, and brain were obtained from untreated control animals at early (day 60; n = 4), mid (day 100; n = 8), and late (day 165; n = 5) gestation (term = day 184). Maternal and umbilical blood samples were collected on day 100 from baboons in which betamethasone was administered sc to the mother (n = 6) on days 60-99 of gestation and on day 165 from animals (n = 4) in which the fetus was administered betamethasone on days 150-164 of gestation. Maternal serum cortisol concentrations were similar at mid (43 +/- 2 micrograms/dl) and late (42 +/- 3 micrograms/dl) gestation and decreased (P < 0.05) at midgestation (1 +/- 1 micrograms/dl) and term (31 +/- 4 micrograms/dl) after betamethasone treatment. Umbilical serum cortisol levels were also reduced (P < 0.05) at both mid (1 +/- 1 micrograms/...
Bridge Length-Dependent Ultrafast Electron Transfer from Re Polypyridyl Complexes to Nanocrystalline TiO2 Thin Films Studied by Femtosecond Infrared Spectroscopy

Femtosecond infrared spectroscopy was used to study the electron injection dynamics of Re(CO)3Cl(dcbpy) (ReC0A) and related derivatives on the surface of TiO2 nanocrystalline thin films. We prepared two derivatives of ReC0A by inserting 1 and 3 CH2 spacers (ReC1A and ReC3A respectively) between the bipyridine rings and the carboxylate anchoring groups. We directly observed electron injection from the excited states of Re dyes to TiO2 by simultaneously measuring the broad absorption of injected electrons and the vibrational spectrum of the complex in its ground, excited, and oxidized states. Electron injection from ReC0A to TiO2 was found to occur on the 200 from ReC0A to ReC1A. This decrease is much larger than the predicted change fo...
Attachment to split-beam spectrophotometer for absorbance recording in round tubes of small diameter.

Abstract A tube holding and positioning device for the Cary spectrophotometer model 14 is described which allows recording of absorption spectra with samples contained in round tubes of 3.5–4 mm inner diameter, as they are used in EPR spectroscopy. Spectrophotometry on such samples is essential when the transfer of samples has to be avoided e.g., in anaerobic experiments.
Chemotrophic Microbial Mats and Their Potential for Preservation in the Rock Record

Putative microbialites are commonly regarded to have formed in association with photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria. However, many modern microbial mat ecosystems are dominated by chemotrophic bacteria and archaea. Like phototrophs, filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria form large mats at the sediment/water interface that can act to stabilize sediments, and their metabolic activities may mediate the formation of marine phosphorites. Similarly, bacteria and archaea associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) catalyze the precipitation of seafloor authigenic carbonates. When preserved, lipid biomarkers, isotopic signatures, body fossils, and lithological indicators of the local depositional environment may be used to identify chemotrophic mats in the rock record. The recognition of chemotrophic communities in the rock record has the potential to transform our understanding of ancient microbial ecologies, evolution, and geochemical conditions. Chemotrophic microbes on Earth occupy naturally occurring interfaces between oxidized and reduced chemical species and thus may provide a new set of search criteria to target life-detection efforts on other planets.
Evaluation of culture and antibiotic use in patients with pharyngitis.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate practice patterns for treatment of patients with pharyngitis with regard to testing for group A beta hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection, frequency of antibiotic use, and appropriate choice of antibiotics. Study Design: The authors conducted a retrospective review of billing data for 10,482 office visits for pharyngitis. Methods: The 2004 billing database for a tertiary institution was queried for outpatient visits for pharyngitis or tonsillitis, group A Streptococcus tests (GAST), and antibiotic prescriptions filled after the visit. Patients were separated by age group and analyzed for the proportion of patients that received a GAST and proportion prescribed an antibiotic. Antibiotic prescriptions were also analyzed to determine whether they were appropriate for treatment of GABHS. Results: A total of 68.7% of all patients and 82.2% of pediatric patients were tested for GAST. A total of 47.1% of adult patients and 44.9% of pediatric patients received an antibiotic. For adult patients for whom GAST was obtained, 48.6% were prescribed an antibiotic versus 53.6% of those not tested. Streptococcus testing was a significant predictor of antibiotic use (P <.0001), whereas age was not (P =.22). A total of 82.1% of all antibiotics prescribed were recommended for treatment of GABHS. Conclusions: Most patients seen for pharyngitis were tested for GABHS, but pediatric patients were tested more frequently than adults. Patients who received a GAST were less likely to receive antibiotics. The rates experienced in our tertiary academic institution are higher than previously quoted for community practice. When antibiotics were prescribed, they were usually appropriate for the treatment of GABHS based on current recommendations.
Concurrent use of statins and amiodarone.

Objective To estimate the concurrent use between statins and amiodarone in context with published case reports of drug-interaction-induced rhabdomyolysis. Design Retrospective analysis of a longitudinal prescription claims database for concurrent prescriptions of statins and amiodarone dispensed during 2006. Patients, participants The study population includes an unprojected annual number of patients who filled a prescription for an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor or simvastatin-containing products or lovastatin-containing products or Lipitor (atorvastatin) or Caduet (amlodipine/atorvastatin) concurrently with brand and generic forms of amiodarone during 2006. The concurrency analysis was used to provide context for published case reports of rhabdomyolysis/myopathy related to simvastatin and amiodarone concurrent use. Main outcome measure Episodes of concurrent use between statins and amiodarone. Results Findings from this analysis indicate noteworthy amiodarone and statin concurrency (44%) when based on amiodarone patient volume. Atorvastatin had the greatest level of concurrency (23.5%) with amiodarone followed by simvastatin (13.3%). Proportionality based on amiodarone patient volume shows a greater level of concurrency with 20 mg (6%) and 40 mg (5.5%) simvastatin strengths compared with other simvastatin strengths. Conclusion Clinicians should be vigilant in monitoring the regimens of patients prescribed a statin with drugs that may increase the risk of myopathy. In particular, since nearly half of the patients prescribed amiodarone may also be prescribed a statin, then addition of amiodarone or changes in statin dose should trigger a drug regimen review and patient level monitoring. Clinicians should avoid simvastatin doses greater than 20 mg per day in patients taking amiodarone.
Projectile charge-state dependence on final-state momentum distributions for single ionization of helium

Single-ionization cross sections and final-state momentum distributions have been calculated for the single-ionization collision reactions H{sup +}, {bar p}, He{sup 2+}, C{sup 4+}, and C{sup 6+} + He at 100 keV/u. The classical trajectory Monte Carlo method has been used with a Wigner distribution to improve both the He electron classical radial and momentum distributions. Final-state ionized electron momenta are projected into a collision plane defined by the initial projectile momentum and the final transverse component of the He{sup +} recoil momentum, with the results displayed differentially in various components of electron and recoil momenta. Positively charged projectile impact shows that the soft electrons drift with the recoil ion, while higher-energy electrons move with the projectile and away from the recoiling target. The electron capture to the continuum cusp is present for hard collisions, with asymmetry in both the collision plane and along the longitudinal momenta. Antiproton impact results in soft electrons drifting backward, away from the recoil ion, with the binary-encounter ring clearly observed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Relationships Among Value Congruence, Perceived Victimization, and Retaliation Against Whistle-blowers

Previous research on organizational members who report perceived wrongdoing has been conducted primarily in public sector organizations. The present study examined survey data from directors of internal auditing in a variety of North American organizations. Because retaliation occurred infrequently, data were analyzed with the case-control method, which is relatively unknown in the organizational literature but is frequently used in medical research to examine the occurrence of rare diseases. Managerial retaliation w’as more likely when: (1) the whistle-blower perceived that stopping the wrongdoing would harm the organization; (2) the wrongdoing harmed the organizations climate or culture: (3) the whistle-blower tried unsuccessfully to remain anonymous, when the wrongdoing continued; (4) the wrongdoing harmed the public; and (5) low value congruence existed between whistle-blowers and their organizations.
Value of preoperative esophageal function studies before laparoscopic antireflux surgery.

The value of esophageal manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring before laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) has been questioned because tailoring the operation to the degree of hypomotility often is not required. This study evaluated a consecutive cohort of patients referred for esophageal function studies in preparation for LARS to determine the rates of findings that would alter surgical decisions. High-resolution manometry (HRM) was performed for each subject using a 21-lumen water-perfused system, and motor function was characterized. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was evident from ambulatory pH monitoring if thresholds for acid exposure time and/or positive symptom association probability were passed. Of 1,081 subjects (age, 48.4 ± 0.4 years; 56.7% female) undergoing preoperative HRM, 723 (66.9%) also had ambulatory pH testing performed. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) hypotension (38.9%) and nonspecific spastic disorder (NSSD) of the esophageal body (36.1%) were common. Obstructive LES pathophysiology was noted in 2.5% (achalasia in 1%; incomplete LES relaxation in 1.5%), and significant esophageal body hypomotility in 4.5% (aperistalsis in 3.2%; severe hypomotility in 1.3%) of the subjects. Evidence of GERD was absent in 23.9% of the subjects. Spastic disorders were more frequent in the absence of GERD (43.9% vs. 23.1% with GERD; p < 0.0001), whereas hypomotility and normal patterns were more common with GERD. Findings considered absolute or relative contraindications for standard 360o fundoplication are detected in 1 of 14 patients receiving preoperative HRM. Additionally, spastic findings associated with persistent postoperative symptoms are detected at esophageal function testing that could be used in preoperative counseling and candidate selection. Physiologic testing remains important in the preoperative evaluation of patients being considered for LARS.
Deposition and patterning of diamondlike carbon as antiwear nanoimprint templates

In this work, antiwear nanoimprint templates were made by depositing and patterning diamondlike carbon (DLC) films on Si and quartz. A capacitively coupled plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system was configured to deposit 100nm–1μm thick DLC films on Si and quartz substrates. These films were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, contact angle measurements, and optical transmission measurements. The rf power and pressure of the PECVD process were varied to obtain uniform coating of DLC films with smooth surface (∼0.2nm rms), low surface energy (∼40mJ∕m2), and high hardness (∼22GPa). The resulting films’ wear resistance is more than three times better than quartz. The DLC films were patterned by nanoimprint lithography using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) followed by CF4 plasma etch. Thermal nanoimprint tests with DLC templates were performed in PMMA. Atomic force microscopy measurements indicated excellent patter...
Probing the Mechanism of the Archaeoglobus fulgidus Inositol-1-phosphate Synthase

myo-Inositol-1-phosphate synthase (mIPS) catalyzes the conversion of glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) to inositol-1-phosphate. In the sulfate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus it is a metal-dependent thermozyme that catalyzes the first step in the biosynthetic pathway of the unusual osmolyte di-myo-inositol-1,1′-phosphate. Several site-specific mutants of the archaeal mIPS were prepared and characterized to probe the details of the catalytic mechanism that was suggested by the recently solved crystal structure and by the comparison to the yeast mIPS. Six charged residues in the active site (Asp225, Lys274, Lys278, Lys306, Asp332, and Lys367) and two noncharged residues (Asn255 and Leu257) have been changed to alanine. The charged residues are located at the active site and were proposed to play binding and/or direct catalytic roles, whereas noncharged residues are likely to be involved in proper binding of the substrate. Kinetic studies showed that only N255A retains any measurable activity, whereas two other mutants, K306A and D332A, can carry out the initial oxidation of G-6-P and reduction of NAD+ to NADH. The rest of the mutant enzymes show major changes in binding of G-6-P (monitored by the 31P line width of inorganic phosphate when G-6-P is added in the presence of EDTA) or NAD+ (detected via changes in the protein intrinsic fluorescence). Characterization of these mutants provides new twists on the catalytic mechanism previously proposed for this enzyme.
Fibroblasts Derive from Hepatocytes in Liver Fibrosis via Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Activated fibroblasts are key contributors to the fibrotic extracellular matrix accumulation during liver fibrosis. The origin of such fibroblasts is still debated, although several studies point to stellate cells as the principal source. The role of adult hepatocytes as contributors to the accumulation of fibroblasts in the fibrotic liver is yet undetermined. Here, we provide evidence that the pro-fibrotic growth factor, TGF-β1, induces adult mouse hepatocytes to undergo phenotypic and functional changes typical of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). We perform lineage-tracing experiments using AlbCre. R26RstoplacZ double transgenic mice to demonstrate that hepatocytes which undergo EMT contribute substantially to the population of FSP1-positive fibroblasts in CCL4-induced liver fibrosis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP7), a member of the TGFβ superfamily, which is known to antagonize TGFβ signaling, significantly inhibits progression of liver fibrosis in these mice. BMP7 treatment abolishes EMT-derived fibroblasts, suggesting that the therapeutic effect of BMP7 was at least partially due to the inhibition of EMT. These results provide direct evidence for the functional involvement of adult hepatocytes in the accumulation of activated fibroblasts in the fibrotic liver. Furthermore, our findings suggest that EMT is a promising therapeutic target for the attenuation of liver fibrosis.
Microphysiological modeling of the reproductive tract: a fertile endeavor.

Preclinical toxicity testing in animal models is a cornerstone of the drug development process, yet it is often unable to predict adverse effects and tolerability issues in human subjects. Species-...
On the fragmentation of magnetized cloud cores

Recent calculations with a two-fluid smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code of the collapse of a magnetized dense core have found little evidence for fragmentation. These calculations have been interpreted as implying that magnetic braking by magnetic tension forces is sufficient to inhibit fragmentation, contrary to a suggestion by Boss that magnetic fields might encourage fragmentation. However, the type of fragmentation considered by Boss did not require the presence of significant rotation, contrary to the case with the SPH calculations, so the relevance of magnetic braking to Boss' suggestion is unclear. The SPH calculations used a barotropic equation of state which tended to produce a single central clump that resisted fragmentation in clouds where the Eddington approximation radiative transfer used by Boss led to fragmentation. While a definitive calculation has yet to be accomplished, fragmentation seems to remain as a possible outcome of the collapse of magnetic clouds.
Mission Possible: Developing Effective Educational Partnerships

This paper discusses some of the basic principles essential for institutions of higher education in establishing and sustaining an effective partnership with a K-12 public school system. The Health Occupations Partners in Education (HOPE) project was launched in 1998 as one of the Health Professions Partnership Initiatives of the Association of American Medical Colleges.1 This initiative encourages health professional schools, local community organizations, and health care industry to partner with a local K-12 public school district to increase the numbers of underrepresented minority students interested in and academically prepared to pursue higher education and future careers in the health professions. The partnership we have established via HOPE brings together health professional schools, a local community college, local industry, and community organizations to collaborate with a high school and two middle schools. We describe some of the general principles and strategies we have utilized to establish our partnership and to engage partner organizationsin our school-based community outreach work.
Fermions in an Aharonov-Bohm field and cosmic strings.

The scattering of fermions by an infinitely thin flux tube is governed by a Dirac Hamiltonian that requires specification of a one-parameter self-adjoint extension. This Aharonov-Bohm scenario arises generically for cosmic strings. In particular for some range of the extension parameter the string can bind fermions.
Application of a CMAC neural network to the control of a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system for a small unmanned aerial vehicle

Optimizing and controlling the energy use of a hybrid-electric propulsion system is difficult due to the interaction of nonlinear mechanical, thermodynamic, and electromechanical devices. An optimization routine for the energy use of a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system for a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the application of a cerebellar model arithmetic computer (CMAC) neural network to approximate the optimization results and control the hybrid-electric system, and simulation results are presented. The small hybrid-electric UAV is intended for military and homeland security missions involving intelligence, surveillance, or reconnaissance (ISR). The flexible optimization routine allows relative importance to be assigned between the use of gasoline, electricity, and recharging. The CMAC controller saves on the required memory compared to a look-up table by two orders of magnitude. The hybrid-electric UAV with the CMAC controller uses 37.8% less energy than a two-stroke gasoline-powered UAV during a three-hour ISR mission.
Retinal Vessel Centerline Extraction Using Multiscale Matched Filters, Confidence and Edge Measures

Motivated by the goals of improving detection of low-contrast and narrow vessels and eliminating false detections at nonvascular structures, a new technique is presented for extracting vessels in retinal images. The core of the technique is a new likelihood ratio test that combines matched-filter responses, confidence measures and vessel boundary measures. Matched filter responses are derived in scale-space to extract vessels of widely varying widths. A vessel confidence measure is defined as a projection of a vector formed from a normalized pixel neighborhood onto a normalized ideal vessel profile. Vessel boundary measures and associated confidences are computed at potential vessel boundaries. Combined, these responses form a six-dimensional measurement vector at each pixel. A training technique is used to develop a mapping of this vector to a likelihood ratio that measures the "vesselness" at each pixel. Results comparing this vesselness measure to matched filters alone and to measures based on the Hessian of intensities show substantial improvements, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The Hessian can be used in place of the matched filter to obtain similar but less-substantial improvements or to steer the matched filter by preselecting kernel orientations. Finally, the new vesselness likelihood ratio is embedded into a vessel tracing framework, resulting in an efficient and effective vessel centerline extraction algorithm
Emotional inhibition of effective contraception

Abstract Negative emotional responses to sex such as anxiety, guilt and fear tend to inhibit sexual behavior. When they are not sufficient to inhibit sexual intercourse, however, they frequently interfere with the ability to plan for, or cope with the consequences of sexual activity. More specifically, these emotional responses to sex frequently interfere with the ability to apply thoughtful and careful logic to contraceptive decision making, and thereby inhibit the use of effective methods of birth control. The current article is a review of the empirical support for emotional inhibition of contraception, and an examination of the psychological mechanisms by which these responses to sex mediate birth control behavior.
Two-stage robust optical flow estimation

We formulate optical flow estimation as a two-stage regression problem. Based on characteristics of these two regression models and conclusions on modern regression methods, we choose a least trimmed squares followed by a weighted least squares estimator to solve the optical flow constraint (OFC); and at places where this one-stage robust method fails due to poor derivative quality, we use a least trimmed squares estimator to make the facet model fitting robust. This two-stage robust scheme produces significantly higher accuracy than non-robust algorithms and those only using robust methods at the OFC stage. On the synthetic data, the one-stage robust method has an average error of 7.7% against 24% of Black's and 19% of the pure LS method; and the two-stage robust method further reduces the error by half near motion boundaries. Advantages are also demonstrated on real data.
Epidemiology of legionella pneumonia and factors associated with legionella-related mortality at a tertiary care center

Legionella pneumophila is an important pathogen that may cause nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia in patients with normal or altered immunity. The epidemiology of 40 cases of legionella pneumonia in patients hospitalized between 1986 and 1994 was studied. Fourteen patients (35%) were solid organ transplant recipients. The calculated annual incidence of L. pneumophila infection was highest among lung transplant recipients (2.07 cases per 1,000 transplant-years). There was a trend toward reduced mortality rates and less severe disease among transplant patients vs. nontransplant patients: mortality rate, 36% vs. 54%; incidence of intubation, 50% vs. 69%; rate of concurrent infections, 29% vs. 38%; and overall rate of complications, 86% vs. 96%; respectively. In a multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with an increased mortality rate were nosocomial acquisition, need for intubation, formation of lung abscess or cavitation, and presence of pleural effusion. Thus, despite differing host immune responses, the most important prognostic factors affecting the outcome of legionellosis are nosocomial acquisition and the development of pulmonary complications.
Fabrication of densely packed, well-ordered, high-aspect-ratio silicon nanopillars over large areas using block copolymer lithography

Abstract The fabrication process for well-ordered nanopillars over large substrate areas, which are taller than 100 nm, have aspect ratios as high as 10 : 1 and occur with a periodicity of less than 35 nm is described. Various unique aspects of the materials and processing techniques enabled key features of the nanostructures: block copolymer lithography facilitated the small periodicity and the well-ordered arrangement of the pillars, a unique lift-off technique overcame potentially prohibitive lift-off problems, and a highly selective and anisotropic NF3 based reactive ion etching achieved the final nanopillar structure. The specifics of the processing can be suitably modified to obtain pillars with different physical characteristics.
Adaptor Proteins as Targets for Cancer Prevention

This perspective on the report by McCampbell et al. in this issue of the journal (beginning on page 290) addresses the role of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins in cancer progression. The IRS proteins link many cell-surface receptors to signal transduction pathways. Activation of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin axis normally results in serine phosphorylation and subsequent downregulation of these adaptor proteins. The authors show that changes in the negative feedback regulation of IRS proteins is associated with the progression of endometrial epithelial cells to hyperplasia and cancer. Therefore, understanding the function of adaptor proteins could provide additional strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
The Headful Packaging Nuclease of Bacteriophage T4

Most tailed bacteriophages and herpes viruses replicate genome as a concatemer which is cut by a 'headful' nuclease upon completion of genome packaging. Here, the catalytic centre of phage T4 headful nuclease, present in the C-terminal domain of 'large terminase' gp17, has been defined by mutational, biochemical and structural analyses. The crystal structure shows that this nuclease has an RNase-H fold, suggesting that it cuts DNA by a two-metal ion mechanism. The active centre has a Mg ion co-ordinated by three acidic residues, D401, E458 and D542. Mutations at any of these residues resulted in loss of nuclease activity, but the mutants can package linear DNA. The gp17's nuclease activity is modulated by the 'small terminase', gp16, by the N-terminal ATPase domain of gp17, and by the assembled packaging motor. These results lead to hypotheses concerning how phage headful nucleases cut the viral genomes before and after, but not during, DNA packaging.
Method and the Structure of Knowledge in Spinoza

It is argued, first, that although Spinoza's early Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect does show evidence of a foundationalist approach to the justification of knowledge, there are good reasons to think he came to find such an approach unsatisfactory; and second, that the Ethics notion of certainty as adequate knowledge of one's knowledge is a justificational concept which is holistic in that any instance of such certainty depends on knowledge of the entire basic metaphysical system. Finally it is shown that Spinoza's having come to hold a nonlinear view regarding the justificational structure of knowledge explains why he chose to present his philosophy in the geometric form, and why he never succeeded in formulating a method of discovery.