cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USING NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN VOLUME-DEPLETED CHILDREN CAN PRECIPITATE ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ever increasing in popularity in hospital medicine and general practice and are readily available over-the-counter. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to illustrate the need to be aware of the effect of NSAIDs on dehydrated patients. PATHOGENESIS: The risk of renal toxicity is increased in situations in which there is a stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system such as volume depletion. In these conditions, circulating vasoconstrictors are released, maintaining vascular resistance and blood pressure at the potential expense of regional organ blood flow. To maintain renal blood flow, counter-regulatory renal prostaglandins are released that counteract vasoconstrictors and normalize renal blood flow. NSAIDs blunt this counter-regulatory response and intensify the renal vasoconstriction, which leads to acute renal failure. In Table 1 we report 4 children with mild dehydration who developed acute renal failure after the use of therapeutic doses of NSAIDs in a children9s hospital. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that NSAIDs should be avoided in children with actual or potential intravascular volume depletion. Although we have not proven cause and effect, additional research is needed to define the true risk of the potential renal complications of using NSAIDs in patients who are at risk of dehydration. NOTE: The cases of the 4 children described in this report have been published elsewhere (John CM, Shukla R, Jones CA. Using NSAID in volume depleted children can precipitate acute renal failure. Arch Dis Child. 2007;92:524–526).
Degeneracy when DNA codes for overlapping genes

Abstract Now that it is known that genes can and do overlap, it is relevant to study degeneracy of the genetic code within the overlap region. A nucleotide within this region will be called doubly degenerate if it could be replaced by a different nucleotide and still code for the same amino acids. Despite the simultaneous constraints imposed by the two genetic messages, double degeneracy does occur in overlapping genes of the viruses ΦX174, G4, and SV40. We identify these doubly degenerate nucleotide sites, provide a theoretical treatment of the coding combinations that lead to double degeneracy, and examine the role of double degeneracy in evolution.
Coordinates, Hamiltonian, and Symmetry Operations for the Small-Amplitude Vibrational Problem in Methyl-Top Internal-Rotor Molecules like CH3CHO

Motivated by attempts to understand the mechanism(s) by which internal rotation of methyl tops strongly enhances intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution, a vibration–torsion–rotation Hamiltonian has been constructed for molecules containing oneC3vrotor. Internal rotation is taken to be slow compared to the other vibrations, so that the small-amplitude vibrational problem is solved for each value of the torsional angle, and the angular momentum operator associated with internal rotation motion is grouped with the three components of the total angular momentum operator. Even though the molecular symmetry group for two common basis-function sets is isomorphic withC3v, small-amplitude vibrational eigenvectors resulting from diagonalization of the FG matrix may change sign when the methyl top is rotated by 2π, so that a double group ofC3vmust be used to classify vibrational eigenvectors. This sign change seems to be related to the fact that the CH3CHO molecule passes through two chemically differentCsconfigurations during the internal rotation motion. Some changes in theGmatrix are required because the torsional constraint is not orthogonal to traditional bond stretching and angle bending vibrations. Several remaining questions concerning application of the present formalism are pointed out. These will probably be answered only when the formalism is applied to vibrational data (particularly torsionally mediated perturbations) of example molecules like acetaldehyde and methanol.
Elevation of endogenous sphingolipid long-chain base phosphates kills Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.

Sphingolipid long-chain base phosphates (LCBPs) regulate cell proliferation, movement and differentiation in higher eukaryotes. To study the function of LCBPs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we inactivated LCBP breakdown pathways. Elimination of both the Dpl1 lyase and the Lcb3 phosphatase pathways by gene deletion was lethal, indicating that these enzymes regulate LCBP levels to prevent accumulation. Lethality was prevented by eliminating the major LCB kinase, Lcb4p, which synthesizes LCBPs, but not by eliminating the minor LCB kinase, Lcb5p. These data imply that death results from an accumulation of LCBPs made by the Lcb4p kinase. By regulating Lcb4 kinase activity, we found that cell death correlates with LCBP accumulation and that C18 dihydrosphingosine-1-P (DHS-P) and C20 DHS-P are most likely the killing molecules. LCB levels were found to be most elevated in a strain lacking Lcb4 kinase, Dpl1 lyase and Lcb3 phosphatase activity. Analysis of mutant strains suggests that the C18 and C20 species of LCBPs are preferentially degraded by the Lcb3 phosphate phosphatase, while the Dpl1 lyase prefers C16 DHS-P as a substrate. These and other data indicate the existence of an unknown mechanism(s) for regulating LCB levels. Our results demonstrate that LCBPs may be used in some circumstances to regulate yeast cell growth.
Distancing or Transformation? Ties to Israel Come of Age

I cannot meaningfully discuss the survey reports of engagement or disengagement. However, from my vantage point, there are broad areas in which Israel is a significant part of contemporary American Jewish life, including young Jews. The engagement with Israel that these phenomena reflect is a better informed, more pluralistic and more complex relationship that can no longer be measured on the old scale of blind loyalty and support. Perhaps that may not be much succor to the traditional organizations that currently mobilize and channel support for Israel (AIPAC foremost among them), but the relationship between American Jewry and Israel is transforming itself into something new and more mature.
Ionizing Dose Rate Effects in Microprocessors

The total ionizing dose failure levels in microprocessors for various radiation pulse widths appear to be dose-rate dependent. This apparent dose rate effect is demonstrated by comparing the total dose failure levels for 150-ns and 1-?s pulses, and >5-s 60Co irradiation. All irradiations were done while the device was operating under normal bias. Total dose failure level data are presented for five types of microprocessors: RCA 1802, Motorola 6800, Intel 8080 and 8085, and AND 9080. Each type exhibited the same dose-rate effects. This dose-rate dependence is caused by the collapse of the electric field across the gate oxide during irradiation. Resulting failure levels for high dose-rate exposure of MOS devices then approach the total ionizing dose failure levels for unbiased MOS devices which are from 3 to 10 times higher than biased devices. This unbiasing is caused by the large power supply currents which flow during the radiation pulse. These currents are limited by package lead resistances, which in most cases protect the device from burnout.
In vivo catabolism of α1-antichymotrypsin is mediated by the Serpin receptor which binds α1-proteinase inhibitor, antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II

The in vivo catabolism of 125I-labeled α1-antichymotrypsin was studied in our previously described mouse model. Native α1-antichymotrypsin cleared with an apparent t12 of 85 min, but α1-antichymotrypsin in complex with chymotrypsin or cathepsin G cleared with a t12 of 12 min. Clearance of the complex was blocked by a large molar excess of unlabeled complexes of proteinases with either α1-antichymotrypsin or α1-proteinase inhibitor. These studies indicate that the clearance of α1-antichymotrypsin-proteinase complexes utilizes the same pathway as complexes with the homologous inhibitor α1-proteinase inhibitor. Previous studies have demonstrated that this pathway is also responsible for the catabolism of two other serine proteinase inhibitors, antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II. This pathway is thus responsible for removing several proteinases involved in coagulation and inflammation from the circulation, thereby decreasing the likelihood of adventitious proteolysis.
Sovereignty and Ethical Argument in the Struggle against State Sponsors of Terrorism

Abstract In prosecuting the war on terror, the Bush Administration asserts that the protections inherent in state sovereignty do not apply to state sponsors of terrorism. I examine three elements of normative arguments to assess the administration's policies. The administration sought to delegitmize terrorism by underscoring the uncivilized nature of terrorist acts. It sought to link the war on terror to efforts to prohibit the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and to frame the invasion of Iraq as central to this war. Finally, the administration proposed new international standards of behavior by arguing that state sponsors of terrorism should be held accountable for terrorist acts planned on their territory, and by seeking to link the protections against intervention inherent in the sovereignty norm to this behavior. Despite initial support for delegitmizing terrorism, the US attempt to frame the war on terror as linked to WMD and Iraq met with skepticism, and it faced fierce competition from ...
The measurement of estrone sulfate in plasma

Abstract Estrone sulfate in plasma has been measured by extraction of the conjugate, solvolysis and radioimmunoassay of estrone. Plasma concentrations are: men, 330 pg/ml; women, follicular phase, 467 pg/ml; women, luteal phase, 891 pg/ml.
Stress transfer in multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The interaction and load transfer between the multiple shells of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) are the subject of intense research by both analysts and experimentalists. Observations of both lubricated sliding and adhesion between individual shells in MWNT have been observed. While the atomic interactions due to simple separation have been successfully modeled by the Lennard-Jones interaction potential for graphene structures, modeling of the shearing deformation mode has been problematic. In the present work, the authors utilize two approaches in continuum mechanics to examine the shearing transfer between shells in a MWNT subjected to extensional and torsional loading wherein the load is transferred through the outermost shell to interior shells. The first approach follows the earlier developments of the authors wherein imperfect bonding between the shells is governed by a shearing transfer efficiency that varies between perfect bonding and zero shearing traction. The second approach utilizes a classical shear lag model to study the shearing transfer between the shells. A comparison between the shear lag and shear transfer models shows the equivalence of the two approaches for two-shell MWNT and numerical solutions are presented for the shear lag model for multiple layers beyond two. Agreement between the two models for multi-shells is demonstrated by varying an adjustable parameter that depends solely on the MWNT geometry. The simplicity of the shear transfer model as compared to the shear lag model constitutes an important advantage. The fundamental discrepancy between the two models lies in the fact that length dependence is inherent to the shear lag analysis, while according to the shear transfer model, stress transfer does not depend explicitly on length.
Vibrational spectroscopy of H on Pt(111): Evidence for universally soft parallel modes.

The vibrational properties of H adsorbed on Pt(111) have been studied with high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy. A new assignment of the principal features indicates that the parallel modes are softer than predicted by the near-neighbor central force-constant (NNCFC) model. It is proposed that H parallel modes are consistently soft on fcc (111) and hcp (0001) surfaces; the implications of this vibrational mode analysis on both the utility of the NNCFC model and the accuracy of various theoretical models for H--metal bonding are discussed.
Changing physician prescribing behavior: a low-cost administrative policy that reduced the use of brand name nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Background.In the United States, expenditures for prescription drugs are rapidly rising. There is concern that physicians do not prescribe medications in the most cost-saving manner. The objective of this study was to determine if a low-cost administrative intervention would decrease the use of brand name nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (bnNSAIDs). Methods.A before–after trial of an administrative intervention to change prescribing behavior at an urban public hospital and its satellite clinics was performed. We evaluated all filled NSAID prescriptions, a total of 127,925, over an 8.5-month period before and after the intervention. The intervention requested physicians to complete a short form listing two generic name nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (gnNSAIDs) that the patient had already tried if they wished to prescribe a bnNSAID. Results.During the 8.5 months before any intervention, 10.5% of 65,404 NSAID prescriptions were written as brand name prescriptions. For the 8.5 months during the intervention, physicians wrote 62,521 NSAID prescriptions, of which 6.9% (4,322/62,521) were brand name. This represents a 34% decrease in bnNSAID prescriptions (P< 0.0001). Using the average pharmacy acquisition costs for bnNSAIDs and gnNSAIDs, as well as the percentage of decrease in bnNSAID use, we calculated the cost savings to the institution to be $92,914 for the 8.5 months, or a projected annualized savings of $131,172. The decline in bnNSAID prescriptions was site specific; settings in which house staff were supervised by attending physicians had a greater decline when compared to community-based primary care physicians (P< 0.05). Conclusion.A low-cost administrative intervention can have a significant impact on physicians' prescribing habits of NSAIDs and result in cost savings to the institution.
NMR studies of the conformation of the natural sweetener rebaudioside A

Abstract Rebaudioside A is a natural sweetener from Stevia rebaudiana in which four β- d -glucopyranose units are attached to the aglycone steviol. Its 1H and 13C NMR spectra in pyridine-d5 were assigned using 1D and 2D methods. Constrained molecular dynamics of solvated rebaudioside using NMR constraints derived from ROESY cross peaks yielded the orientation of the β- d -glucopyranose units. Hydrogen bonding was examined using the temperature coefficients of the hydroxyl chemical shifts, ROESY and long-range COSY spectra, and proton–proton coupling constants.
Encoding algorithms for complex approximations in Z(e/sup 2 pi i/8/)

Two algorithms are presented that approximate complex numbers by elements of the algebraic integers of Q(w) where w=e/sup 2 pi i/8/. These algorithms substantially reduce the computational burden. Range and memory requirements are given as a function of the desired accuracy, and expressions are obtained for the number of computations required by each algorithm. >
Identification of expert systems applications for management support within the Army

The author examines existing applications of expert systems technology (both implemented and prototypes) in industry. He identifies similar needs for decision support in the US Army staff. He suggests ways in which expert systems might productively be used by the US Army staff. >
Data authentication and provenance management

With the proliferation of data on the web, it has become astonishingly easy to locate, modify, and republish data (by republish, we are referring to web publishing and not to paper publications). Hence, in addition to the difficulty in locating the origins of data, it's even harder to know the exact details of the "history" of a data item. This information, namely the origins and history of data, is called the provenance information of data. In this paper, we present a model for authenticating data as well as to storing the corresponding provenance information.
Collision-induced symmetric fission of doubly-charged cubelike [Fe4S4X4]2− clusters

Abstract A series of doubly-charged [4Fe4S] cluster ions, [Fe4S4X4]2− (X=Cl, Br, I, and SC2H5), were produced in the gas phase by electrospray ionization and examined using collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a quadrupole ion trap. CID channels of each dianion were analyzed by MS/MS experiments at different collision energies. Two CID channels were observed for these dianions: symmetric fission and electron detachment. The most interesting observation is the symmetric fission of [Fe4S4X4]2− into two identical daughter ions, [Fe2S2X2]−. The important role of the intramolecular coulomb repulsion in the symmetric fission was shown by comparing with CID of the singly-charged anions, [Fe4S4X4]−. Our gas-phase experiments suggest that solution phase conversions between [Fe4S4] and [Fe2S2] assemblies in proteins may also involve related fission chemistry with reactive [Fe2S2X2]− intermediates.
Ion-beam analysis of silicon carbide

Channeling and backscattering measurements with 3.8 MeV 4He analysis beams have been used to determine the CSi stoichiometric ratio in 100–200 nm SiCx(Hy) films deposited on (100) Si substrates by plasma-enhanced CVD using gas mixtures of CH4 and SiH4. The results show that both annealed and unannealed films are amorphous and allow determination of the CSi ratio to better than ±10% for 0.2 < x < 1.0. Film hydrogen content was determined by ERD with 3.5 MeV 4He analysis beams. In addition, potential problems associated with the use of the 4.265 MeV 4HeC resonance to quantify C in Si are discussed.
Heparin attenuates bleomycin but not silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice: possible relationship with involvement of myofibroblasts in bleomycin, and fibroblasts in silica‐induced fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis was elicited in mice or rats by the intra-tracheal instillation of bleomycin or silica. Daily injections of heparin significantly reduced the collagen deposition in bleomycin, but not in silica, injected mice, as evaluated by the lung hydroxyproline content on day 15 after instillation. Heparin also reduced the bleomycin-induced morbidity and mortality. Study of the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) detected no significant change in the number of leucocytes or the amount of protein in heparin treated mice. Histologies of bleomycin instilled mice suggested that heparin did reduce the alveolar remodelling but not the alveolitis, evidenced by leucocytic infiltration. As detected by electron microscopy (EM), bleomycin increased the number of leucocytes and platelets within the alveolar capillaries but this was not significantly reduced by heparin. The phenotype of the interstitial cell involved in these two types of pulmonary fibrosis was investigated by immunohistochemistry and EM. While in bleomycin injected animals the interstitial cells had the phenotype of an actin (α-actin in the rat) and lipid containing interstitial cell, with a poorly developed RE, in silica injected animals in contrast, the interstitial cells were without cytoplasmic actin or lipid but with a markedly developed endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Thus bleomycin and silica induced the growth of two different types of interstitial cells, the myofibroblast and the regular fibroblast, which might be a reason why heparin selectively inhibits bleomycin but not silica-induced fibrosis.
Sources of electron contamination for the clinac-35 25-MV photon beam

A detailed Monte Carlo approach has been employed to investigate the sources of electron contamination for the 25-MV photon beam generated by Varian's Clinac-35. Three sources of contamination were examined: (a) the flattening filter and beam monitor chamber, (b) the fixed primary collimators downstream from the monitor chamber and the adjustable photon jaws, and (c) the air volume separating the treatment head from the observation point. Five source-to-surface distances (SSDs) were considered for a single field size, 28 cm in diameter at 80 cm SSD. It was found that for small SSDs (80--100 cm), the dominant sources of electron contamination were the flattening filter and the beam monitor chamber which accounted for 70% of the unwanted electrons. Thirteen percent of the remaining electrons originated in the downstream primary collimators and the photon jaws, and 17% were produced in air. At larger SSDs, the fraction of unwanted electrons originating in air increased. At 400 cm SSD, 61% of the contaminating electrons present in the beam were produced in air, 34% originated in the flattening filter and beam monitor chamber, and 5% were due to interactions in the fixed collimators downstream from the monitor chamber and the adjustable photon jaws. These calculatedmore » results are substantiated by recent experiments.« less
Situational Waste in Landscape Watering: Residential and Business Water Use in an Urban Utah Community1

Abstract: Landscape water conservation is an important issue for municipalities throughout the Western United States, and especially in Utah as rapid growth strains existing water supplies. We conducted interdisciplinary research in Layton, Utah, that aimed at understanding patterns of landscape water use among households and businesses. The research project involved three basic tasks. First, a landscape “water budget” was developed by producing a calibrated and classified mosaic of landscape type and area from airborne multispectral digital imagery, integrating this information with Layton City parcel boundary data to determine landscape vegetated areas per lot, and estimating irrigation needs derived from reference evapotranspiration (ETo) obtained using weather data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan region. Second, utilizing Layton water billing data, water use for each household and business was identified and categorized as “conserving,”“acceptable” or “wasteful” by determining how much the water applied varied from actual landscape plant need. Third, surveys were administered to a random stratified sample of households and businesses in the study area to investigate various factors that were hypothesized to be predictive of wasteful watering practices. This paper primarily focuses on analysis of the household and business survey data, which explores factors affecting urban landscape water use from a human behavioral perspective. We found that the most significant factors predicting actual water use were the type of irrigation system and whether the location was a household or business. Attitudinal and motivational characteristics were not consistently associated with water use. We found that wasteful watering is the result of many factors embedded in the complex context of urban landscapes. This implies that water conservation programs should identify potential wasteful users through analyses of water billing data and direct water conservation measures at these users by focusing on site-specific evaluations and recommendations. Water audits or water checks are one such tool that some communities have employed to help people understand and assess the quantity of water needed by and applied to their landscapes. This approach provides an opportunity to evaluate situational constraints at particular locations and design appropriate strategies for reducing water waste.
Proof of a Quantum Bousso Bound

Fil: Bousso, Raphael. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Estados Unidos. University of California at Berkeley; Estados Unidos
Using other people's surveys to evaluate a student health service.

(1982). Using other People's Surveys to Evaluate a Student Health Service. Journal of American College Health: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 94-95.
Should progressive perineal dilation be considered first line therapy for vaginal agenesis

Purpose: In women with vaginal agenesis progressive perineal dilation provides a minimally invasive method to create a functional vagina without the attendant risks or complications of traditional surgical options. We report our 12-year experience with this technique.Materials and Methods: Patients with vaginal agenesis treated at our institution were analyzed retrospectively and followed prospectively using case report forms and semistructured interviews. Patients diagnosed with vaginal agenesis were counseled on vaginal reconstruction options. Those electing progressive perineal dilation were instructed on the proper use of vaginal dilators by one of us (MRL) and advised to dilate 2 or 3 times daily for 20 minutes. All patients received physician, nursing and social work education and counseling. Parameters reviewed included primary diagnosis, start and end of vaginal dilation, dilation frequency, dilator size, sexual activity and whether the patient experienced pain or bleeding with dilation or sexual ...
Research support by doctoral-granting colleges/schools of nursing.

Colleges and schools of nursing with doctoral programs focus on developing quality research programs. One effective way of managing and nurturing a research program is through the implementation of a nursing research office or center. The purpose of this study is to describe the resources provided by the colleges/schools of nursing with doctoral programs for research development. A self-report questionnaire, developed by the research team, was mailed to all schools of nursing offering doctoral programs. The response rate was 79 per cent (65/82 schools). Results indicated that 56 schools (86.2 per cent) have designated research support offices. The main goals of nursing research offices are to increase the amount of extramural funding and to promote dissemination of scholarly work via publications and presentations. The majority of research offices provide assistance with grants and the research process and offer educational programs. Most doctoral-granting schools are providing some support for research activities. However, the degree of investment in research support varied widely among the responding schools. This study suggests that it takes both time and institutional commitment to build a successful research environment. Although necessary for research development, support services are not sufficient by themselves. Instead, they need to be considered in the light of individual (e.g., faculty interest and motivation) and group (e.g., culture of scholarship) factors within each school.
Progressive obstruction of the foramen ovale in patients with left atrioventricular valve atresia

Thirteen patients with left atrioventricular (AV) valve atresia and a normal aortic root were studied to evaluate the status of the interatrial communication with advancing age. Six patients had cardiac catheterization within the first 2 weeks of age; of these, five had repeat studies before 7 months of age. The seven other patients initially underwent catheterization after 2 weeks of age. In the group with catheterization before 2 weeks of age, the mean left atrial pressure was 7.8 ± 5.5 mm Hg and the left atrial-right atrial mean pressure gradient was 1.7 ± 2.4 mm Hg. In the combined group of patients with catheterization after 2 weeks of age, the mean left atrial pressure was 25.9 ± 5.6 mm Hg and the mean left atrial-right atrial pressure gradient was 21.1 ± 5.1 mm Hg. Seven of the 13 patients have survived and have now reached a median age of 6.5 years. Balloon atrial septostomy was adequate for long-term survival in one patient; all of the others have required surgical atrial septectomy. Progressive obstruction of the foramen ovale is part of the natural history of left AV valve atresia, and obstruction develops despite the absence of a left atrialright atrial gradient during newborn study. Balloon atrial septostomy is recommended during the neonatal period in all patients with left AV valve atresia, even in the absence of an interatrial gradient. Because early surgical atrial septectomy is usually necessary for long-term survival, these patients should have serial noninvasive evaluation of the patency of the interatrial communication.
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Levels in Raw and Cooked Chicken and Chicken Broth

Abstract Drumsticks, breast pieces, thigh meat, thigh skin, and abdominal adipose tissues from hens fed Aroclor 1254 were stewed and pressure cooked. Both cooking methods resulted in similar reductions of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s). Cooked chicken pieces had significantly lower PCB’s than did raw pieces. Rendering of PCB’s with the fat appears to be the major mode of removal. Percentage recoveries calculated from the levels of 1254 found in the cooked meat and broth, as compared to that in the raw pieces varied from 60% for breast pieces to 95% for drumsticks. Except for adipose tissues which had most of the recovered PCB’s in the broth, recovered PCB’s were about equally divided between the cooked sample and the broth.
The managers guide to understanding, detecting, and thwarting computer crime: An international performance issue

Cyber crime poses an ever-growing international threat to businesses. Organizations need to address this threat through a performance intervention by making managers aware of the reasons cyber crimes are committed so that they can detect and prevent them. This research details the primary types of cyber crime, describes and suggests managerial defenses to cyber crime, and reviews the importance of synchronized international legislation in the fight against cyber crime.
Tall-cell variant papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from struma ovarll.

Objective: To present a case of tall-cell variant (TCV) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) arising from Struma ovarii (SO) and to discuss special considerations in the management of this patient.Methods: The clinical presentation and relevant pathologic features of a patient with PTC-TCV developing from SO are described, and a concise review of literature regarding this topic is also presented.Results: A 36-year-old woman with a history of stable right ovarian dermoid cyst presented with amenorrhea and was found to have a significantly enlarged right ovary with multiple cysts. Following laparoscopic cystectomy, pathology revealed mature cystic teratoma (SO) with associated PTC-TCV. Based on this finding, she underwent right salpingo-oophorectomy, right pelvic lymph node dissection, and partial omentectomy. Pathology was negative for extra-ovarian disease, and her tumor was staged as pT1pN0M0. Total thyroidectomy was performed in preparation for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. A diagnostic iodine-131 (I-1...
Functional characterization of ABCC2 promoter polymorphisms and allele-specific expression.

Multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2, ABCC2) is an efflux membrane transporter highly expressed in liver, kidney and intestine with important physiological and pharmacological roles. The goal of this study was to investigate the functional significance of promoter region polymorphisms in ABCC2 and potential allele-specific expression. Twelve polymorphisms in the 1.6 kb region upstream of the translation start site were identified by resequencing 247 DNA samples from ethnically diverse individuals. Luciferase reporter gene assays showed that ABCC2 −24C>T both alone and as part of a common haplotype (−24C>T/−1019A>G/−1549G>A) increased promoter function 35% compared with the reference sequence (P T variant with pharmacokinetic phenotypes. In Caucasian liver samples (n=41) heterozygous for the 3972C>T polymorphism, the 3972C allele was preferentially transcribed relative to the 3972T allele (P A, −1019A>G and −24C>T). The observed allelic imbalance was not associated with hepatic or renal ABCC2 mRNA expression. Additional mechanisms will need to be explored to account for the interindividual variation in ABCC2 expression and MRP2 function.
EFFECTS OF DOMAIN SIZE ON THE PERSISTENCE OF POPULATIONS IN A DIFFUSIVE FOOD-CHAIN MODEL WITH BEDDINGTON-DeANGELIS FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE

. A food chain consisting of species at three trophic levels is modeled using Beddington-DeAngelis functional responses as the links between trophic levels. The dispersal of the species is modeled by diffusion, so the resulting model is a three component reaction-diffusion system. The behavior of the system is described in terms of predictions of extinction or persistence of the species. Persistence is characterized via permanence, i.e., uniform persistence plus dissi-pativity. The way that the predictions of extinction or persistence depend on domain size is studied by examining how they vary as the size (but not the shape) of the underlying spatial domain is changed.
Stochastic simulation model comparing distributions of STEC O157 faecal shedding prevalence between cattle vaccinated with type III secreted protein vaccines and non-vaccinated cattle.

Summary Pens of cattle with high Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157) prevalence at harvest may present a greater risk to food safety than pens of lower prevalence. Vaccination of live cattle against STEC O157 has been proposed as an approach to reduce STEC O157 prevalence in live cattle. Our objective was to create a stochastic simulation model to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-harvest interventions. We used the model to compare STEC O157 prevalence distributions for summer- and winter-fed cattle to summer-fed cattle immunized with a type III secreted protein (TTSP) vaccine. Model inputs were an estimate of vaccine efficacy, observed frequency distributions for number of animals within a pen, and pen-level faecal shedding prevalence for summer and winter. Uncertainty about vaccine efficacy was simulated using a log-normal distribution (mean = 58%, SE = 0.14). Model outputs were distributions of STEC O157 faecal pen prevalence of summer-fed cattle unvaccinated and vaccinated, and winter-fed cattle unvaccinated. The simulation was performed 5000 times. Summer faecal prevalence ranged from 0% to 80% (average = 30%). Thirty-six per cent of summer-fed pens had STEC O157 prevalence >40%. Winter faecal prevalence ranged from 0% to 60% (average = 10%). Seven per cent of winter-fed pens had STEC O157 prevalence >40%. Faecal prevalence for summer-fed pens vaccinated with a 58% efficacious vaccine product ranged from 0% to 52% (average = 13%). Less than one per cent of vaccinated pens had STEC O157 prevalence >40%. In this simulation, vaccination mitigated the risk of STEC O157 faecal shedding to levels comparable to winter, with the major effects being reduced average shedding prevalence, reduced variability in prevalence distribution, and a reduction in the occurrence of the highest prevalence pens. Food safety decision-makers may find this modelling approach useful for evaluating the value of pre-harvest interventions.
LymphTF-DB: a database of transcription factors involved in lymphocyte development.

B and T cells develop following a similar early stepwise progression to later stages where multiple developmental options are available. These developmental regimes necessitate differential gene expression regulated by a large number of transcription factors (TFs). The resultant burgeoning amount of information has opened a knowledge gap between TF activities during lymphocyte development and a researcher's experiments. We have created the LymphTF database (DB) to fill this gap. This DB holds interactions between individual TFs and their specific targets at a given developmental time. By storing such interactions as a function of developmental progression, we hope to advance the elucidation of regulatory networks that guide lymphocyte development. Besides queries for TF-target gene interactions in developmental stages, the DB provides a graphical representation of downloadable target gene regulatory sequences with locations of the transcriptional start sites and TF-binding sites. The LymphTF-DB can be accessed freely on the web at http://www.iupui.edu/~tfinterx/ .
Moving Closer To A Rapid-Learning Health Care System

This Perspective discusses activities that are necessary for developing a rapid-learning health system. Recognition of the central role that patients play in the successful evolution of such a system will help ensure that the goals of the transformation are met. Understanding the trade-offs of using a less controlled form of research to inform health care decision making and making necessary investments in methodology and translation will help secure the success of continuous-learning research. Major public policy interest in promoting health information technology and in getting more value for health care spending creates a framework for moving ahead.
Does type I afferent neuron dysfunction reveal itself through lack of efferent suppression

Abstract We present here two patients and three control subjects to demonstrate the clinical utility of studying evoked otoacoustic emissions and their contralateral suppression, as an aid to the delineation of afferent neuron dysfunction and possible lack of efferent suppression. The key patients here who fail to show contralateral suppression of their very robust otoacoustic emissions, concomitantly show paradoxically absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and absence of middle ear muscle reflexes despite normal audiograms in the 2 kHz region and normal tympanograms. One of these patients has nearly normal pure tone sensitivity up to 3 kHz. The other has normal sensitivity in the 2 kHz region, but poor sensitivity on either side of that frequency. In addition, the two patients of interest show absent masking level differences and inordinately poor speech discrimination. Three ‘foils’ are presented: one patient with poor hearing on either side of 2 kHz, one with Bell's Palsy, and the third with bilateral temporal lobe disease. These patients show respectively that(1) isolated normal hearing at 2 kHz,(2) absence of middle ear muscle reflexes and (3) conscious cortical awareness of sound do not contribute directly to this intriguing clinical state. We propose that these patients with absent ABRs suffer from an auditory nervous system dysfunction which disrupts access to the efferent system. This condition also disables whatever systems contribute to the neural synchrony inherent in recording compound far-field action potentials such as the ABR. There are a number of hypotheses to be considered here. One suggests that the key patients are deficient in synchronous activation of Type I afferent fibers to the degree that they cannot activate efferent feedback, or they may be able to use only so-called Type II afferent neurons to support their normal zones of pure tone sensitivity. A less likely consideration focuses on the notion that discharge of primary neurons might be in some way synchronized by an efferent system which in these patients is the primary source of deficit.
Microscopy of electrical treeing behavior

Abstract The microstructural sequence of electrical treeing behavior has been presented from a study of electric breakdown lifetime and microscopy. The effect of absorbed moisture on the electric lifetime has been explained by means of the electric lifetime equation.
A fish activity-monitoring device using a low-power infrared photobeam

An activity-monitor system for fish or other aquatic animals has been developed that uses a single low-level infrared (IRED) photobeam. The IRED source emits with a peak wavelength of 960 nm and requires only 70-mW average power input for an operating range of greater than 50 cm in sea water. This represents an order of magnitude reduction in power and more than a doubling of range over other reported designs. The cost for a single-beam channel is approximately $30.
Coherent oscillation of a photoexcited exciton wave packet in double quantum wells

Excitonic effects on coherent oscillations of a photoexcited electron wave packet in a double quantum well structure was studied using the time dependent Schrodinger equation. The oscillation period of the electron wave packet is found to increase due to the electron-hole Coulomb interaction.
Control of rhodopsin activity in vision

Although rhodopsin's role in activating the phototransduction cascade is well known, the processes that deactivate rhodopsin, and thus the rest of the cascade, are less well understood. At least three proteins appear to play a role: rhodopsin kinase, arrestin and recoverin. Here we review recent physiological studies of the molecular mechanisms of rhodopsin deactivation. The approach was to monitor the light responses of individual mouse rods in which rhodopsin was altered or arrestin was deleted by transgenic techniques. Removal of rhodopsin's carboxy-terminal residues which contain phosphorylation sites implicated in deactivation, prolonged the flash response 20-fold and caused it to become highly variable. In rods that did not express arrestin the flash response recovered partially, but final recovery was slowed over 100-fold. These results are consistent with the notion that phosphorylation initiates rhodopsin deactivation and that arrestin binding completes the process. The stationary night blindness of Oguchi disease, associated with null mutations in the genes for arrestin or rhodopsin kinase, presumably results from impaired rhodopsin deactivation, like that revealed by the experiments on transgenic animals.
Change in the Presence of Fit: the Rise, the Fall, and the Renaissance of Liz Claiborne

A new framework that addresses how tight fit among a firm's activities affects the firm's ability to react to environmental changes is presented. As part of the framework, a new classification sche...
The Changing World of Group Health Insurance

Prologue: The decade of the 1980s has been a period when many of the nation's employers have begun to view medical care as something other than the almost exclusive province of hospitals and physicians. Wielding their influence as payers, many employers began to experiment with employee cost sharing, self-insurance, and alternative delivery systems. In this article, five researchers show how an increasing number of employers have moved in these directions in recent years. Conducted under the auspices of the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) , the survey depicts group health insurance as a rapidly changing world. Given the recent round of sharp increases in health insurance premiums that employers have faced, the results of the survey raise an interesting question: Has managed care demonstrated that it can impose the necessary discipline on medical care providers and consumers, or must far more bitter pills be prescribed in the future? Jon Gabel, who formerly worked as a senior economist at th...
Multi-domain adaptive parameter estimation

Expressions are developed for obtaining an estimate of a set of related signal parameters which is optimal in the sense that the estimates are unbiased in the absence of background interference and minimum variance for a background whose statistics are specified. When these are not known a-priori the estimator may be implemented adaptively using an iterative algorithm or by matrix estimation and inversion. For the latter approach probability density distributions are presented for the parameter estimates when signal and background have Gaussian statistics. The expressions are similar in form to those which have been developed for single parameter estimation. Finally, an approach to adaptive frequency and bearing estimation is presented as an example of multiple parameter estimation, and expressions for the probability density distributions and moments of the estimates are presented.
SU-FF-I-30: Dose Indices of Radiation to Skin in Invasive Cardiology Procedures

Purpose:Tissue injury depends on the extent as well as the intensity of the assault. It would be helpful to develop skin dose indices that are more descriptive of the skin area receiving radiation above a threshold value of potential injury. Method and Materials: For quality control, a GafChromic XR Type R film was placed close to the skin of 36 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures. A hand‐held densitometer was used to measure the peak radiation dose. With the approval of the Institutional Review Board, these films were scanned. Contours were drawn at the increment of 100 cGy. Using each contour value as a threshold, the area exceeding this threshold, and the average dose within this area were computed. Results: For 3 patients who had skin dose exceeding the 200 cGy threshold, but less than 300 cGy, the total area of the skin with this amount of irradiation ranged from 1 cm2 to 27 cm2. The averages doses within these areas were not greater than 221 cGy. One patient had incurred a peak entrance dose of 409 cGy. For this patient, the area exceeding 300 cGy was 82 cm2 and the area exceeding 400 cGy was 4 cm2. The limited skin areas associated with the high skin entrance radiation exposures might explain the lack of significant skin injury in this sample of patients. Conclusion: If we define “skin dose loadthreshold” to be the area exceeding a chosen threshold value, the skin dose load200 would be the area exceeding 200 cGy and having the potential of skin injury. Summary statistics describing the dose distribution within this area might also be helpful. An example parameter would be the average dose within the area described by the “skin dose loadthreshold”. This investigation has demonstrated the technical feasibility of providing such dose indices.
Algorithms for permutation channel routing

In this paper the channel routing problem is generalized to allow the interchange of some of the pins in the channel. The generalized problem is called the Permutation Channel Routing Problem (PCRP). This model arises naturally when there are logically equivalent (and therefore interchangeable) pins. Various other applications of the model are also presented. We show that the PCRP is NP-complete for two different cost measures. An optimal algorithm is presented for a special case called the Single Permutable Block Model. For the general PCRP, we study two methods of solution: iterative improvement and simulated annealing. Our results show that allowing some of the pins to be interchanged can lead to a substantial reduction in the number of tracks needed for routing. For example, by randomly generating a few small groups of interchangeable pins, a savings of 42% was obtained for Deutsch's Difficult problem. For all the test problems, our algorithms produce results that are very close to the best possible ones. We also show that our algorithms outperform a previous method by Kobayashi and Drozd.
Authenticated Dictionary-Based Attribute Sharing in Federated Identity Management

Authenticated dictionaries have been primarily studied and used in the context of certificate revocation in public key infrastructure (PKI). This paper presents a novel approach to enabling controlled access to and selective sharing of sensitive user attributes in federated identity management (FIM) by integrating an authenticated dictionary (ADT)-based credential into FIM, while attempting to achieve both better privacy control and usability. Our approach is motivated by the notion of user-centricity, which is essentially to give users a larger degree of control over their attributes. We discuss the design of a security system based on the usage of ADT-based credentials. Finally we discuss a proof-of-concept implementation.