cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanowire-based electrochromic devices

This report presents studies performed on high contrast electrochromic devices based on WO3 nanowires. The devices were made in two formats. The first kind was made with vertically oriented nanowires grown on fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates using a low pressure hot filament CVD process. The devices made with these substrates showed a highly reversible transmission modulation of over 70% with almost 0% transmission in the colored state, at a wavelength of 700 nm. In the second kind of devices, made using dispersed nanowires in a mat-like format, a transmission modulation of over 50% was observed in the same wavelength regime. The bleaching times of electrodes with high densities of nanowire arrays showed a large dependence of bleaching timescales based on the coloration timescales used. Beyond the observed enhancement in the optical transmission contrast characteristics, the coloration and bleaching timescales can be further improved by optimizing the nanowire array characteristics such as their densities and aspect ratios.
HER2-positive breast cancer: trastuzumab, lapatinib and emerging therapies

The discovery of the HER2 alteration in 20–25% of breast cancers has ushered in an era of molecularly targeted therapies. Targeting HER2 with antibody-based approaches, such as trastuzumab, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as lapatinib, has yielded improvements in clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, mechanisms of actions underlying anti-HER2 therapies are incompletely understood, and drug resistance is frequently encountered in the clinic. In this review, standard-of-care and emerging therapies in HER2-positive breast cancer will be discussed, with a focus on strategies in late-phase clinical development.
Prospective analysis of acute cervical spine injury: A methodology to predict injury

We developed a prospective study to evaluate the clinician's ability to predict and diagnose cervical spine injury. Of 233 patients evaluated, 24 (10.4%) sustained cervical spine injury confirmed by radiography. The physician was able to predict injury with only 50% accuracy. The incidence of injury was 10.3% (24 of 233). Twenty percent (5 of 24) of cervical spine injuries would have been missed if physicians had used physical examination and mechanism of injury as criteria. Ten elements were identified as being associated statistically with cervical spine injury. Physicians cannot accurately predict the presence of cervical spine injury. Radiographs are ordered for many patients who have no evidence of injury. We used a logistic regression analysis to produce a system for predicting cervical spine injury. This methodology is easily adaptable for use in the emergency department.
Long-term hearing results in gamma knife radiosurgery for acoustic neuromas.

Objectives: There are many studies that have examined functional outcomes following Gamma Knife treatment; however, few have reported long-term audiometric data. This study analyzed the long-term hearing results of Gamma Knife radiosurgery in the treatment of acoustic neuromas. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Seventeen patients were selected from our acoustic neuroma Gamma Knife registry of 113 patients treated from 1991 to 2005. Pretreatment audiograms were analyzed for pure-tone average and word recognition scores and assigned a Gardner-Robertson classification score (GRC). Either a current audiogram was obtained or the most recent audiogram (if the patient was lost to follow-up) was reviewed from clinic charts and these were compared with the preoperative results. Audiometric data of the pre- and posttreatment normal ear were obtained and used as the patient's own control. Results: The tumor size ranged from 0.5 to 2.8 cm (mean, 1.33 cm) and patients received a range of 12.5–16 Gy (mean, 13.82 Gy) to 50% isodose line. Patient follow-up ranged from 3 to 82 months with a mean of 33.6 months. Pretreatment pure-tone average for the involved side group was 30.6 dB HL with a word recognition score of 74%. Pretreatment mean GRC was 1.76. posttreatment pure-tone average for the group was 59.7 dB HL with a word recognition score of 37%. posttreatment mean GRC was 3.29. Comparing pre- versus post-Gamma Knife radiosurgery results on the treatment ear, means were statistically significantly different for both pure-tone average and word recognition scores, based on a paired-samples t test (P < .001 for both). The group “normal” ear pure-tone average was 14 dB HL and 17.75 dB HL pre- and posttreat-ment, respectively. Normal ear pre- and posttreatment word recognition score and GRC were 93% and 98%, and 1.13 and 1.31, respectively. Conclusion: Gamma Knife radiosurgery remains a noninvasive treatment option for patients with acoustic neuromas; however, they may experience a delayed hearing loss. Of those patients with useful audition pretreatment, 42% maintained useful hearing posttreatment.
Neutrophils mediate pulmonary vasomotor dysfunction in endotoxin- induced acute lung injury

Background: The major hemodynamic feature of endotoxin (ETX)-induced acute lung injury is pulmonary hypertension secondary to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Endotoxin causes dysfunction of pulmonary vasorelaxation, which is associated with increased lung neutrophil accumulation. We hypothesized that neutrophils mediate the dysfunction of cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation in acute lung injury. In a rat model of ETX-induced lung injury, our purpose was to determine the effect of neutrophil depletion on the following mechanisms of pulmonary vasomotor control: endothelium-dependent cGMP-mediated relaxation (response to acetylcholine) and endothelium-independent relaxation (response to sodium nitroprusside). Methods: Rats were studied 6 hours after ETX (20 mg/kg). Neutropenia (< 75 neutrophils/μL) was induced with anti-neutrophil serum 24 hours before ETX. Saline injected rats were controls. Dose-response curves to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were generated in isolated pulmonary artery rings preconstricted with phenylephrine (n = 10 rings/5 rats per group). Lungs were harvested (n = 4 rats/group) and lung neutrophil accumulation was assessed with a myeloperoxidase assay. Results: Endothelium-dependent and -independent cGMP-mediated pulmonary vasorelaxation was dysfunctional in ETX-induced ALI. Neutrophil depletion prevented lung neutrophil accumulation and attenuated pulmonary vasomotor dysfunction after endotoxin. Conclusions: These data suggest that neutrophils contribute to pulmonary endothelium and smooth muscle dysfunction in acute lung injury induced by endotoxemia.
Mathematical Modeling of a Cation-Exchange Membrane Containing Two Cations

Transport phenomena in an ion-exchange membrane containing both H + and K + are described using the multicomponent diffusion (extended Stefan-Maxwell) equations. Expressions for macroscopic transport parameters, i.e., conductivity, proton transference number, water electro-osmotic coefficient, and transport parameters characterizing diffusion at zero current, are derived as a function of the binary interaction parameters, D ij , used in the multicomponent transport equations. As experimental data for only four transport properties are available in the literature, the six D ij values cannot be determined in an unequivocal manner. It is in harmony with the data that D H + ,K + is large, and linear variations of In(D ij ) with y HM are assumed for the other D iJ coefficients. Values for the slopes of those linear variations are refined by nonlinear least-square regression on the four experimental transport properties. General governing equations to describe complete transport in the membrane with H + and K + are presented, and the model is used with particular boundary conditions to describe the behavior of a membrane used in a CO 2 -H 2 O electrolyzer. This provides some insights on macroscopic quantities such as the ohmic drop and water transport that are relevant for cell operation.
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection for Patients with Neurogenic Bladder

Urinary tract infection is a common problem among patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction that can be costly and challenging to manage. Current literature on the topic of preventing urinary tract infections in this heterogeneous patient population is challenged by the difficulty in defining urinary tract infections and by the lack of long-term data from controlled randomized studies. New research suggests that intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxin A may be a useful adjunct in preventing urinary tract infections, and further studies are needed to determine if probiotics, bacterial interference, and/or vaccines will prove to be of use in the population.
Empirical magnitude and spectral scaling relations for mid-plate and plate-margin earthquakes

Abstract Published values of body-wave magnitude m b , surface-wave magnitude, M s , and seismic moment, M o , for mid-plate and plate-margin earthquakes, are analyzed, to determine their inter-relationship and to develop scaling laws for earthquake spectra. All of the plate-margin earthquakes used in the study occurred near the border of the Pacific Ocean. The mid-plate earthquakes occurred in both continental plate interiors and oceanic plate interiors. For mid-plate earthquakes the m b - M s relation can be represented by two straight lines, of slope one and two. The intersection of the two lines corresponds to the body-wave magnitude for which the corner period of the spectrum is at 1 sec. The M b - M s relation for plate-margin earthquakes is more complicated, because the derived spectra exhibit two corner periods. A principal feature of the m b - M o and M s - M o relations is the fact that the large plate-margin earthquakes have a higher M o value than the mid-plate earthquakes, for the same m b or M s . Because m b is a measure of the spectral amplitude for frequencies at which damaging ground motion occurs, and M 0 is a measure of the spectrum at very long periods, it follows that mb is a good estimator of strong ground motion, whereas a moment-derived magnitude is not. The latter, however, is a good measure of fault rupture area. The derived spectra of the mid-plate earthquakes are flat at the long periods, and have a slope of two at the short periods. Their seismic moment varies as the fourth power of the corner period, implying that the stress drop increases as the moment increases. For the large plate-margin earthquakes the derived spectra are flat at the long periods, have a slope of one at intermediate periods, and a slope of two at short periods. The stress drops are almost independent of moment for the larger plate-margin earthquakes. The moment-magnitude relations for mid-plate earthquakes indicate that an M s = 8.7 event requires a fault rupture length of only 60 km, for a fault width of 20 km. A plate-margin earthquake of M s = 8.7 and fault width of 20 km would require a fault length of 6000 km, obviously impossible. Assuming a fault width of 20 km, an M s = 8.2 earthquake has a rupture length of about 850 km, which is as large as can be expected for strike-slip faults, such as the San Andreas of California. Subduction zone earthquakes, on the other hand, if they have fault widths as great as 200 km, can give rise to M s = 8.7 earthquakes.
Mobile Communication and Civil Society: Linking Patterns and Places of Use to Engagement with Others in Public

Thisstudyexaminedwhetherandhowmobilecommunicationinfluencestheextenttowhich oneengageswithnewpeopleinpublicsettings.Contrarytoourexpectation,generaluseofthe technologyinpublicdidnotdetractfromconversingwithstrangers.Shiftingfocusfrom where oneusesthemobilephoneto howitisused,wefoundthatusesforcoordinationandnewseach leadtoincreasedconversationswithstrangersinpublicsettings,whilerelationalusedetracted from them. The findings also reveal an interactive effect such that those who use mobile technologyfornews andfrequentlyuseitinpublicweremorelikelytoengagewithstrangersin public.The discussion offers interpretationofthefindings anddirectionsfor futureresearch.
Myopericarditis diagnosed by a 64-slice coronary CT angiography "triple rule out" protocol.

We report a case of myopericarditis in a 30-year-old male complaining of shortness of breath. In an emergency department (ED) setting, the symptoms of myopericarditis may overlap with many disease entities and can be a challenging diagnosis to make. However, with the use of a 64-section coronary CT angiography in a “triple rule out” (TRO) protocol, we were able to detect a large pericardial effusion surrounding the heart and moderate global hypokinesis in the setting of normal-sized heart chambers and normal coronary arteries. We were further able to exclude pulmonary embolism and thoracic dissection. This is the first reported case of diagnosing myopericarditis using a TRO protocol. It demonstrates the usefulness of TRO in making an emergent diagnosis of myopericarditis while excluding other life-threatening diseases that can lead to earlier appropriate ED disposition and care.
Fluctuations with Cubic Symmetry in a Hexagonal Copolymer Microstructure

A triblock copolymer that undergoes a thermotropic order-order transition between hexagonally packed cylinders ( $C$) and body-centered-cubic spheres ( $S$) is examined. Transmission electron microscopy provides real space images, and small-angle x-ray scattering the reciprocal space signature, of fluctuations with cubic symmetry in the stable (shear-aligned) hexagonal phase. These results support recent theoretical predictions. There is evidence of an interesting induction time for the onset of fluctuations that is attributed to a slight mismatch in principal lattice spacings between the $C$ and $S$ microstructures.
The effects of a nutritionally enriched coffee drink on repeated flying 40-yd sprint performance

Methods Physically active male and female volunteers (n = 13) completed 24 × 50 yard sprints following NEC and DC (counterbalanced). Sprints were completed in 2 halves (12 sprints per half) with 2 minutes recovery between each sprint and a 10-minute recovery period between halves. Acute-RPE (A-RPE) (0–10 omni scale) was recorded after every sprint and Session RPE (S-RPE) was recorded 20 min after completing each trial. Blood lactate ([LA]) was recorded at baseline and following sprints, 6, 12, 18, and 24. Additionally, a fatigue index (FI) was calculated as a percentage difference between mean sprint time and fastest sprint time.
Early Reading and Concrete Operations

Summary Fifteen children who learned to read before first grade without the benefit of formal instruction were matched with 15 nonearly readers on picture vocabularly, sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Their performance on Piagetian tasks of concrete operations was compared. Early readers had significantly higher total Piagetian scores. Two of the subtests were significant contributors to the overall difference—conservation of mass and a task combining conservation of weight, mass, and length. A follow-up test of reading achievement at the end of the first grade showed that early readers had maintained their initial advantage and that Piagetian scores for all Ss were significantly correlated with reading achievement.
An integrated approach to anti-cancer drug sensitivity prediction

A framework for design of personalized cancer therapy requires the ability to predict the sensitivity of a tumor to anticancer drugs. The predictive modeling of tumor sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs has primarily focused on generating functions that map gene expressions and genetic mutation profiles to drug sensitivity. In this paper, we present a new approach for drug sensitivity prediction and combination therapy design based on integrated functional and genomic characterizations. The modeling approach when applied to data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia shows a significant gain in prediction accuracy as compared to elastic net and random forest techniques based on genomic characterizations. Utilizing a Mouse Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma cell culture and a drug screen of 60 targeted drugs, we show that predictive modeling based on functional data alone can also produce high accuracy predictions. The framework also allows us to generate personalized tumor proliferation circuits to gain further insights on the individualized biological pathway.
Extensive VZV Encephalomyelitis without Rash in an Elderly Man

Introduction. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalomyelitis with cranial nerve involvement is rare. Characteristically it is preceded by a rash and primarily presents in the immunocompromised. The spectrum of VZV neurologic disease is extensive and it is not uncommon to present without rash. We report the case of an elderly otherwise immunocompetent patient who presented with diverse manifestations of VZV CNS infection all occurring without rash. Case Report. A 78-year-old man presented with 1 week of progressive paraparesis and sensory loss, malaise, and fevers. MRI of the neuraxis demonstrated numerous enhancing lesions: intramedullary, leptomeningeal, pachymeningeal, and cranial nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed a white blood cell count of 420/μL with elevated protein (385 mg/dL). CSF VZV qualitative PCR was positive and CSF VZV immunofluorescence assay detected IgM antibody, confirming the diagnosis of VZV encephalomyelitis. Clinical and radiological improvement was observed after intravenous acyclovir treatment. Conclusion. This is a rare report of an immunocompetent patient with extensive VZV encephalomyelitis. We highlight the importance of considering this diagnosis even in the absence of the characteristic rash, and the potential risk of premature discontinuation of antiviral therapy once HSV has been excluded. Prompt recognition and treatment can dramatically reduce morbidity and mortality in patients.
Substance P expression in TRPV1 and trkA-positive dorsal root ganglion neurons innervating the mouse lung.

Abstract In the present study, the co-localisation of substance P (SP) with the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 and the neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinase trkA was analysed in airway-specific murine dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. DRG neurons labelled with Fast Blue were predominantly found at the segmental levels T2–T5. Immunoreactivity for the receptor TRPV1 was localized to 12% of Fast Blue labelled DRG neurons. Double-labelling immunohistochemistry revealed that a substantial number of them also co-express SP (7.6 ± 1.1% (mean ± S.E.M.)), whereas neurons with immunoreactivity for TRPV1 only were found in 4.4 ± 1.3% of the retrogradely labelled neuronal population. Further analysis of retrogradely labelled neurons showed that their majority expressed trkA (62.8 ± 1.4%), neurofilament protein 68-kDa (64.8 ± 1.5%) or glutamate alone (19.5 ± 1.9%). SP was always expressed in trkA-positive neurons. Based on the extent of co-localization of SP with the receptors TRPV1 and trkA in DRG airway neurons, the present study indicates that the DRG pathway may have effects on the magnitude of neurogenic inflammation in airway diseases such as asthma.
Numerical Simulation of Tip Leakage Flows in Axial Flow Turbines, With Emphasis on Flow Physics: Part II — Effect of Outer Casing Relative Motion

A pressure-correction based, 3D Navier-Stokes CFD code was used to simulate the effects of turbine parameters on the tip leakage flow and vortex in a linear turbine cascade to understand the detailed flow physics. A baseline case simulation of a cascade was first conducted in order to validate the numerical procedure with experimental measurements. The effects of realistic tip clearance spacing, inlet conditions, and relative endwall motion were then sequentially simulated, while maintaining previously modified parameters. With each additional simulation, a detailed comparison of the leakage flow's direction, pressure gradient, and mass flow, as well as the leakage vortex and its roll-up, size, losses, location, and interaction with other flow features, was conducted. Part II of this two-part paper series focuses on the effect of relative motion of the outer casing on the leakage flow and vortex development. Casing relative motion results in less mass flow through the gap and a smaller leakage vortex. The structure of the aerothermal losses in the passage change dramatically when the outer casing motion was incorporated, but the total losses in the passage remained very similar, Additional secondary flows that are seen near the casing are also discussed.
A method for the separation of polar androgens from estrogens.

Abstract Multiple partition between ether and 1 N NaOH has been developed as a fast and efficient method of separating phenolic estrogens from both polar and nonpolar neutral metabolites. The applicability of the technique was demonstrated by the purification of phenolic extracts derived from three adrenalectomized and oophorectomized women with breast cancer who had ingested doses of either testosterone or DHEA.
SPFL graph with pattern modeling of fingerprints

In this paper we represent a fingerprint by SPFL-graph with singular points, cores and deltas, as vertices: and fault lines as edges. We propose and prove some theories based on the SPFL-graph so that the types of singular point in fingerprints can be predicted. This is a totally new idea to fingerprints which will give a new direction of research in this field.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simple data management, scheduling and solution strategies for managing the irregularities in parallel adaptive hp finite element simulations

Abstract Adaptive hp finite element methods (FEM), in which both grid size h and local polynomial order p are dynamically altered, generate computations that require dynamic and irregular patterns of data storage, access and computation, making their parallelization very difficult. We show here that such applications can be parallelized easily if we use a good spatially local ordering of all data for organizing storage, distribution and access, and schedule computation using a “owner-computes” rule. This ordering results in a global index space which can be partitioned to distribute the data, locally used in hashing schemes and B-trees for the necessary dynamic memory management, and used in designing efficient solution schemes.
Scales of selected aspects of kinesthesis

Fifty male Ss made judgments of (1) thickness by finger span, (2) extent of arm movement, (3) heaviness of lifted weights, (4) force by handgrip, and (5) speed of arm movement. The method was fractionation: halving the magnitude of each stimulus. Comparisons were made in terms of the size of the exponent of the sensory scale.
The contribution of non-pulmonary surfaces to CO2 loss in 6 species of turtles at 20°C

Abstract 1. 1. Pulmonary and non-pulmonary CO 2 loss were measured simultaneously in 6 species of turtles at 20°C. 2. 2. The contribution of non-pulmonary surfaces to total CO 2 loss correlated with the normal habitats of the turtles; the highly aquatic soft shell, Trionyx mutica , lost about 64% of its CO 2 by non-pulmonary means, the terrestrial tortoise, Testudo dendriculata , lost only 2.9%, while the semi-aquatic species were intermediate. 3. 3. The reduced CO 2 loss by the terrestrial species is clearly related to integumental changes necessary to limit cutaneous evaporation.
Autos, transit and bicycles: Comparing the costs in large Chinese cities

This study compares the full costs of seven passenger modes in the large Chinese cities facing the difficult yet crucial choice among alternative passenger transportation systems. The seven modes are evaluated at varied traffic volumes in hypothetical radial and circumferential commuting corridors. Using detailed estimates of private and social costs, the full cost of each mode is minimized by optimizing infrastructure investment and operation plans. On all corridors and across different scenarios, commuting by one or more forms of bus transit or bicycle costs less than automobile or rail. Nonetheless, in circumferential corridors, rail can be almost as cost-effective as bus under certain conditions, and bicycle can be less cost-effective than bus in some cases. Unlike results from similar studies conducted in the US, automobile commuting does not cost less than bus transportation at low traffic volumes.
THE USE OF PERCENT FREE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN FOR STAGING CLINICALLY LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER

AbstractPurpose: The free-to-total serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) ratio (percent free PSA) has been demonstrated to have clinical use for early detection of men with prostate cancer with total PSA levels between 4.0 and 10.0 ng./ml. Several studies evaluating the usefulness of percent free PSA for the staging of clinically localized prostate cancer have provided conflicting results. We further investigate the usefulness of percent free PSA for staging of clinically localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: In 263 men with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy total PSA and free PSA were measured preoperatively. Pathological stages were classified as organ confined in 134 cases, capsular penetration in 92, seminal vesicle involvement in 7, involvement of the surgical margins in 20 and lymph node involvement in 10.Results: Percent free PSA was significantly different between men with organ confined versus nonorgan confined tumors (p <0.0001) and between those...
New results on stable multidimensional polynomials. III. State-space interpretations

Lyapunov characterization of scattering Schur, reactance Schur, and immittance Schur properties of multidimensional polynomials are given. Since these polynomials arise in the description of passive systems, energy-like functions can be conveniently defined for such systems, thus making Lyapunov-type characterization readily available. It is shown that the notion of modal observability and its further variants for multidimensional systems are necessary ingredients of such considerations. Two approaches are followed. One is essentially passive synthesis based, whereas the other is that of viewing multidimensional systems as a parametric family of one-dimensional systems. A nontrivial example is included to illustrate the former method. >
A Modified Herd Reproductive Status Program for South Carolina Dairy Herds

Abstract A computer records system for cooperating commercial dairy herds is described. Reproductive events are recorded on a basic record form which also serves as a computer input sheet. Events are recorded in chronological order. At periodic intervals (usually monthly), pregnancy is checked for cows sufficiently advanced in gestation. Results of the pregnancy check, along with accumulated record forms on which reproductive events are recorded, are mailed to Clemson University where they are examined for accuracy, coded, punched on cards, and computer processed. A printout is returned to the owner for use in herd management. For the breeding herd printouts summarize number and percentage of cows pregnant, calved A frequency distribution with number and percentage of cows currently pregnant is given for cows open 85 days or less, 86 to 100, 101 to 115, 116 to 145, 146 to 175, 176 to 205, and 206 or more days. Lists are provided for cows in the separate classifications, and a special list is provided for cows open for 100 or more days. Individual cow reproduction records are shown for the current service period. Types of information obtainable from the records system are described, and values calculated from data input to March 31, 1974, are given as a progress report.
Multipotent stem cells in the Malpighian tubules of adult Drosophila melanogaster.

Excretion is an essential process of an organism's removal of the waste products of metabolism to maintain a constant chemical composition of the body fluids despite changes in the external environment. Excretion is performed by the kidneys in vertebrates and by Malpighian tubules (MTs) in Drosophila. The kidney serves as an excellent model organ to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying organogenesis. Mammals and Drosophila share common principles of renal development. Tissue homeostasis, which is accomplished through self-renewal or differentiation of stem cells, is critical for the maintenance of adult tissues throughout the lifetime of an animal. Growing evidence suggests that stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is controlled by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Deregulation of stem cell behavior results in cancer formation, tissue degeneration, and premature aging. The mammalian kidney has a low rate of cellular turnover but has a great capacity for tissue regeneration following an ischemic injury. However, there is an ongoing controversy about the source of regenerating cells in the adult kidney that repopulate injured renal tissues. Recently, we identified multipotent stem cells in the MTs of adult Drosophila and found that these stem cells are able to proliferate and differentiate in several types of cells in MTs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that an autocrine JAK-STAT (Janus kinase–signal transducers and activators of transcription) signaling regulates stem cell self-renewal or differentiation of renal stem cells. The Drosophila MTs provide an excellent in vivo system for studying the renal stem cells at cellular and molecular levels. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing stem cell self-renewal or differentiation in vivo is not only crucial to using stem cells for future regenerative medicine and gene therapy, but it also will increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cancer formation, aging and degenerative diseases. Identifying and understanding the cellular processes underlying the development and repair of the mammalian kidney may enable more effective, targeted therapies for acute and chronic kidney diseases in humans.
Visceral adiposity and incident coronary heart disease in Japanese-American men : The 10-year follow-up results of the Seattle Japanese-American Community Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for incident coronary heart disease (CHD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 175 Japanese-American men without CHD were followed for up to 10 years. Baseline variables were blood pressure, weight, BMI, fat areas by computed tomography, skinfold thicknesses, abdominal circumference, plasma insulin, C-peptide, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, and HDL3 cholesterol, triglycerides, apoproteins A1 and B, and diagnosis of diabetes and hypertension. CHD was diagnosed by electrocardiogram and clinical events. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio. RESULTS: There were 50 incident cases of CHD. Using univariate logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors were intra-abdominal fat (P = 0.0090), fasting glucose (P = 0.0002), 2-h glucose (P = 0.0008), fasting HDL cholesterol (P = 0.0086), fasting HDL2 cholesterol (P = 0.030), fasting HDL3 cholesterol (P = 0.018), fasting triglycerides (P = 0.013), systolic (P = 0.0007) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0002), and presence of diabetes (P = 0.0023). Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for BMI and age showed that intra-abdominal fat accounted for the effects of HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. In a multiple logistic regression model that included intra-abdominal fat, all systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose were significant. Substituting diastolic blood pressure for systolic blood pressure and 2-h glucose or diabetes status for fasting glucose produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral adiposity, blood pressure, and plasma glucose are important independent risk factors for incident CHD in this population of diabetic and nondiabetic Japanese-American men.
The American Public and the Room to Maneuver: Responsibility Attributions and Policy Efficacy in an Era of Globalization

Despite the increasing integration of markets, most political scientists contend that governments retain much policy “room to maneuver.” Moreover, citizens presumably support further economic integration because they believe their governments can cushion the impacts of market forces. In this sense, globalization is compatible with democracy. Rarely, however, are data provided that demonstrate citizens’ appreciation for the room to maneuver, let alone their positive evaluation of it. Who do citizens identify as most responsible for the performance of the U.S. economy, elected officials or national and international market forces? Which citizens attribute economic performance to these forces and not to their elected officials? In this article, we report results from an original experiment designed to answer these questions. We find that a good number of Americans believe that their government retains the room to maneuver. However, there exists a substantial minority that does not. We show, consistent with recent developments in the study of political psychology on distal associations and partisan motivated reasoning, that this minority is characterized according to partisanship, knowledge levels, and age. Republican partisans and more educated citizens believe there is less room to maneuver than Democratic partisans and members of older age cohorts. Generational factors also shape beliefs in the efficacy of policy control. Finally, priming subjects to think about economic globalization does not affect their responsibility attributions. The choice set matters, however. When provided the option, a significant number of respondents assign responsibility to market forces rather than elected officials.
Updating orientation in large virtual environments using scaled translational gain

Navigating through large virtual environments using a head-mounted display (HMD) is difficult due to the spatial limitations of the tracking system. We conducted two experiments to examine methods of exploring large virtual spaces with an HMD under translation conditions different than normal walking. Experiment 1 compares locomotion in the virtual environment using two different motor actions to translate the subject. The study contrasts user learning and orientation of two different translational gains of bipedal locomotion (not scaled and scaled by ten) with joystick locomotion, where rotation in both locomotion interfaces is accomplished by physically turning. Experiment 2 looks further at the effects of increasing the translational gain of bipedal locomotion in a virtual environment. A subject's spatial learning and orientation were evaluated in three gain conditions where each physical step was: not scaled, scaled by two, or scaled by ten (1:1, 2:1, 10:1, respectively). A sub-study of this experiment compared the performance of people who played video games against people who did not.
A community continuity programme: volunteer faculty mentors and continuity learning.

Summary Background: Longitudinal generalist preceptorship experiences early in medical education can have beneficial effects on how students practise the art and science of medicine, regardless of their eventual career choices. Description: We evaluated the first 2 years of implementation of an integrated, regional campus-based, early clinical experience programme, the Community Continuity Program, at our new community-based medical school that is under the supervision of volunteer primary care faculty members acting as continuity mentors (CMs). Curricular components for years 1 and 2 consisted of three annual 1-week community-based experiences with CMs, extensive physical diagnosis practice, interprofessional learning activities, a multigenerational family care experience, a mandatory Community Health Research Project (CHRP) in year 1 and a mandatory Quality Improvement Project in year 2. Evaluation: Outcome measures included student, faculty member and programme evaluations, student reflective narratives in portal-based e-journals, a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) self-study student survey and serial level-of-empathy surveys. Results: Students found all elements of this integrated community experience programme beneficial and worthwhile, especially the CMs and the use of standardised and real-life patients. CMs noted effective and professional student-patient interactions. The number of reflective e-journal postings per student during year 1 ranged from 14 to 81 (mean, 47). Serial empathy questionnaires administered over 2 years demonstrated preservation of student empathy, and students believed that the programme had a positive effect on their personal level of empathy. Conclusion: An integrative, longitudinal, community-based, early clinical experience programme driven by volunteer CMs provides patient-centered instruction for preclinical students in the clinical, social, behavioural, ethical and research foundations of medicine.
Excision of Benign Lesions of the Forehead and Malar Regions Utilizing Endoscopic Browlift Techniques

•Endoscopic browlift techniques can be applied to the excision of a variety of benign lesions in the forehead and malar regions •Requires careful pre-operative planning •Surgeon must have precise knowledge of fascial planes •Such methods offer several advantages without compromising therapeutic outcome •Complete excision of lesion •Favorable post-operative course and outcome •Preservation of important neural and vascular structures •It may not be appropriate to use these limited access approaches for resecting malignant or recurrent lesions •Exposure adequate for excising lesion but limits dissection of surrounding tissue Introduction
Frequency modulation characteristics of three-section DBR lasers

A theoretical analysis of the dynamic behaviour of a three-section DBR laser is presented. The FM response, due to the refractive index modulation resulting from injection current modulation, is studied by means of a small signal analysis. Modulation can be considered in one or more sections. A condition leading to the IM suppression, and to the elimination of relaxation oscillation of the FM response, is derived. The model is based on the transfer matrix method by means of which the whole structure can be reduced to a Fabry—Perot laser with an effective complex reflectivity depending on current modulation in the passive sections. Results for a typical example of such a structure are presented and discussed.
Traumatic spinopelvic dissociation or U-shaped sacral fracture: A review of the literature

Traumatic spinopelvic dissociation is a rare high-energy injury pattern, characterised by a transverse sacral fracture in conjunction with bilateral sacral fracture-dislocations. It has a high incidence of neurological complications. The true nature of the injury is easily missed and diagnosis is delayed because it commonly presents in patients with severe associated injuries. In the absence of diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to progressive deformity and chronic pain. Early realignment and fixation of the unstable lumbopelvic junction, with adjunctive decompression of compromised lumbosacral roots, are currently thought to provide the best possible environment for early mobilisation of the polytraumatised patient. Plain pelvic radiographs (anteroposterior, inlet, and outlet), lateral sacral radiograph, CT scan and reconstruction are essential to provide optimal imaging and understanding of the fracture pattern. There is no single treatment paradigm and various surgical strategies have been described in the literature. Lumbopelvic fixation or triangular osteosynthesis has recently been recommended by several authors to restore stability at the lumbosacral junction. This article presents a review of the incidence, clinical evaluation, treatment methods and outcomes of this injury pattern.
Three crises in American foreign affairs and a continuing revolution

A distinguished former Foreign Service Officer looks at four key issues in recent American foreign policy, offers personal insights, and adds new, never-before-made-public, information to the record. The issues are the Berlin Wall, the Cuba Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the impact of science on foreign policy."On the Berlin Wall" I am convinced that one of the many factors which made possible or led to the U.S.-Soviet confrontation in the Cuba missile crisis was the weak reaction of the U.S. government at the time of the Berlin Wall. Khrushchev misread the weak reaction to mean an endemic weakness. "On the Cuba Missile Crisis" In the Cuba missile crisis, both the American and the Soviet estimators were wrong: the Americans were wrong in their estimate of the likelihood of the Soviets introducing offensive missiles into Cuba; the Soviets were wrong in their estimate of the likely American response to such action. """""On the Vietnam War" American political and military leaders seem to have been caught in a web of abstractions spun by themselves. The folly of Vietnam has been the most complete triumph of specious abstraction in the history of our foreign affairs. The continuing revolution Dr. Trivers sees is in the future. The following is an excerpt from this chapter."On Science, Technology, and Foreign Affairs" The only chance for human survival lies in the development of international institutions strong and resilient enough to direct and control the import of technological development in the interest of all mankind. The United Nations is a weak reed in this direction, with a charter based on anachronistic premises. "
A Cytokinin-binding Protein from Wheat Germ Isolation by Affinity Chromatography and Properties

A cytokinin-binding protein has been isolated from wheat germ via ammonium sulfate precipitation, carboxymethyl Sephadex chromatography, and affinity chromatography on a column substituted with a derivative of kinetin riboside. On Sephadex G-200, the protein migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 122,000 daltons. The dissociation constant for kinetin was determined by equilibrium dialysis to be 1.2 micromolar; N6-benzylaminopurine and N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenine were also strongly bound. Little affinity was exhibited toward either cis-zeatin or trans-zeatin.
Duplex criteria for determination of in-stent stenosis after angioplasty and stenting of the superficial femoral artery.

Objective Endovascular intervention is considered first-line therapy for most superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease. Duplex ultrasound (DU) criteria for SFA in-stent stenosis and correlation with angiographic data remain poorly defined. This study evaluated SFA-specific DU criteria for the assessment of SFA in-stent stenosis. Methods From May 2003 to May 2008, 330 limbs underwent SFA angioplasty and stenting and were monitored by serial DU imaging. Suspected stenotic lesions underwent angiography and intervention when appropriate. Data pairs of DU and angiographically estimated stenosis ≤30 days of each other were analyzed. Seventy-eight limbs met these criteria, and 59 underwent reintervention. In-stent peak systolic velocity (PSV), the ratio of the stented SFA velocity/proximal SFA velocity, changes in ankle-brachial indices (ABIs), and the percentage of angiographic stenosis were examined. Linear regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to compare angiographic stenosis with PSV and velocity ratios (Vrs) to establish optimal criteria for determining significant in-stent stenosis. Results Mean follow-up was 16.9 ± 8.3 months. Of the 59 limbs that underwent reintervention, 37 (63%) were symptomatic, and 22 (37%) underwent reintervention based on DU findings alone. Linear regression models of PSV and Vr vs degree of angiographic stenosis showed strong adjusted correlation coefficients (R 2 = 0.60, P R 2 = 0.55, P 1.50 had 93% sensitivity, 89% specificity, a 96% PPV, and a 81% NPV. To detect ≥80% in-stent stenosis, a PSV ≥275 had 97% sensitivity, 68% specificity, a 67% PPV, and a 97% NPV; a Vr ratio ≥3.50 had 74% sensitivity, 94% specificity, a 77% PPV, and a 88% NPV. Combining a PSV ≥275 and a Vr ≥3.50 to determine ≥80% in-stent stenosis had 74% sensitivity, 94% specificity, a 88% PPV, and a 85% NPV; odds ratio was 42.17 (95% confidence interval, 10.20-174.36, P 0.15) correlated with a >62% in-stent stenosis, although the adjusted correlation coefficients was low ( R 2 = 0.31, P = .02). Conclusion PSV and Vr appear to have a significant role in predicting in-stent stenosis. To determine ≥80% stenosis, combining PSV ≥275 cm/s and Vr ≥3.50 is highly specific and predictive.
The Development of a Holistic Online Course Development Model (Year 1)

This article includes a reflection on the experiences, both positive and negative, in using a collaborative approach to the development of an online instructional design model. It outlines the processes and points out the challenges associated in the creation of courses to be taught on the Internet using this model. There are reflections on the practical application of this model within a higher education setting for both faculty and administrators. Moreover, an evaluation of the model and its effectiveness for distance learning courses are discussed. Lastly, conclusions and implications for expansion and further use are presented.
Some Factors Affecting Electromagnetic Detection of Lunar Subsurface Water

Determination of the presence or absence of lunar subsurface water appears possible, from a satellite in orbit around the moon or from lunar surface measurements, by the use of inductive electromagnetic techniques. A number of plane-layered models of the moon have been analyzed to obtain values of reflection coefficient, surface impedance, apparent dielectric constant, and apparent conductivity, computed for a normally incident plane wave at frequencies in the range 104 to 108 Hz. The variation of these quantities with frequency is markedly dependent on the presence or absence of sub-surface water (in either liquid or "permafrost" form); that is, a fraction of one percent of water, for a wide range of materials that might exist on the moon, yields characteristic signals. The detection depth for the water-bearing layer (if it exists) ranges from tens of meters to at least one kilometer, depending on the characteristics of the layers; results for representative models are displayed. For certain lunar models an equipment resolution of at least as good as + 1 dB is required.