cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P360: Hypertension Treatment Rates And Health Worker Density: An Analysis Of Worldwide Data

Introduction: Hypertension is the leading global risk for mortality and its prevalence is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries. Hypertension treatment rates are low worldwide, potentially in part due to insufficient human resources. However, the relationship between health worker density and hypertension treatment rates is unknown. Objective: To conduct an econometric analysis of the relationship between health worker density and hypertension treatment rates worldwide. Methods: Hypertension treatment rates were collected from published reports between 1980 and 2010. Data on health worker (physician and nurse) density were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO). Data for potential confounding variables--per capita gross domestic product, hospital bed density, burden of infectious diseases, land area and urban population--were obtained from WHO and World Bank databases. Potential interaction by per capita gross domestic product was evaluated. Multivariable logistic-logarithmic regression analysis was performed using Stata. Results: Full data were available from 146 countries spanning all World Bank income classification categories. Health worker density was significantly associated with hypertension treatment rate in the unadjusted model (beta = 0.23; p Conclusion: Hypertension treatment rates across the world appear to be related to health worker density, although the relationship does not achieve strict statistical significance. Our results suggest that a 10% increase in health worker density is associated with a 2-3% increase in hypertension treatment rate. Given the global burden of hypertension and other chronic diseases, WHO guidelines for health workforce staffing may need to be reconsidered.
Formalism and Distrust: Foreign Affairs Law in the Roberts Court,

When it comes to foreign relations, the Roberts Court has trust issues. As far as the Court is concerned, everyone — the President, Congress, the lower courts, plaintiffs — has played hard and fast with the rules, taking advantage of the Court’s functionalist approaches to foreign affairs issues. This seems to be the message of the Roberts Court foreign affairs law jurisprudence. The Roberts Court has been active in foreign affairs law, deciding cases on the detention and trial of enemy combatants, foreign sovereign immunity, the domestic effect of treaties, the extraterritorial reach of federal statutes, the preemption of state laws, and the scope of the political question doctrine, among others. Looking back at those decisions, this Article notes and explores a stark and surprising trend. Across a string of decisions, from Hamdan v. Rumsfeld through Medellin v. Texas, Morrison v. National Australia Bank, Zivotofsky v. Clinton, Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., and Bond v. United States, the Court has jettisoned its traditional foreign affairs functionalism in favor of formalism. The shift, as the Article explains, is not merely rhetorical or stylistic. Embedded within these opinions is a deep distrust of the Executive Branch, Congress, and the courts. And embraced by a surprising number of Justices across different wings of the Court, this formalism of distrust has brought constraints on the discretion of federal government deeper and more powerful than have been seen in some time. Foreign affairs formalism,with all of its implications, is the new reality — one that must be understood and watched.
Pharmacogenetics, molecular correlates and multiparameter high throughput evaluation of the response of inflamatory breast cancer cells to anticancer agents

4637 Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive, fast-growing and highly invasive tumor, and therapeutically has the worst outcome among breast cancers. Understanding the molecular and genetic determinants of IBC therapeutic response and the identification of novel agents and strategies for treating IBC are thus urgently needed. Using two IBC cell lines, SUM 149 and SUM 159, we optimized a multi-parameter high throughput system for both cell- and target-based screening of anticancer agents against IBC cells. The target-based screen utilizes either IBC cell extracts or the purified target, while the cell-based screening simultaneously evaluates cell viability and apoptotic response in a single assay. We used the system to determine the growth kinetics and to characterize the differential sensitivity of mechanistically different anticancer agents (cisplatin, carboplatin, adriamycin, paclitaxel and vinorelbine) against the two IBC cell lines. The growth rate of SUM 159 (8.5 x 10-2.Hr-1) was approximately 2-fold that of SUM 149. At clinically relevant concentrations, both cell lines showed the highest sensitivity to cisplatin and the highest resistance to vinorelbine, when tested as single agents. Overall, the IC50 of all five agents were higher for SUM 159 than SUM 149. Because previous studies have shown that expression of GSTP1, a phase II metabolizing enzyme and regulator of cellular signaling in response to stress, is a strong determinant of therapeutic outcome and survival in breast and other cancers, we examined the expression of the GSTP1 gene by real time quantitative PCR and western blotting. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in GSTP1 and three other GST genes (GSTM1, GSTM3 and GSTT1) were determined using an allele-specific TaqMan RT-PCR assay. The results showed SUM149 to have a lower level of GSTP1 expression and to lack the Ala‡Val transition in exon 6 of the GSTP1 gene. In addition, unlike SUM159, which is homozygous for GSTM1*B, the GSTM1 gene was deleted in SUM149. These genotypes and phenotype are consistent with the higher drug sensitivity of SUM149 compared to SUM 159. The pharmacogenetic differences between the cell lines correlated with differential effects of siRNA-mediated GSTP1 suppression on their drug sensitivity. Screening of the cell lines against GSTP1 inhibitors is ongoing. Our data and the high throughput target- and cell-based screening system we describe provide a useful tool for the discovery of novel targeted agents and for rapidly evaluating novel combination therapy strategies for IBC. The system is suitable for screening engineered cells and cells with specific molecular defects and should complement in vivo systems in the rational drug discovery of novel IBC therapeutics. Supported by RO1 CA90462, P50 CA69438 and the Cancer Center Core Grant P30 CA124322.
Corporate decision to remain private in Mozambique: a qualitative study

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore the views of chief finance officers (CFOs) of companies in Mozambique toward understanding corporate decisions to remain private despite the potential benefits of stock market listing. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a qualitative approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 35 CFOs of the top 100 companies in Mozambique. Findings – Although most of the CFOs interviewed were aware of the existence of the stock exchange of Mozambique, many of them had never considered listing their firms. The major themes that emerged for why they do not use the stock market include the need to maintain ownership and control, not to disclose proprietary information to potential competitors and no need for the stock market because of availability of other sources. Practical implications – The study is of interest to corporate managers interested in sourcing funds in a manner that meets the peculiar needs of the firm. It is also important for poli...
Choices for Studying Choice: Assessing Charter School Effectiveness Using Two Quasi-Experimental Methods.

Abstract Two quasi-experimental methods – fixed effects (FE) and virtual control records (VCR) – were used to measure charter schooling in 14 states and two districts. The new VCR method uses all available observable charter student characteristics and prior performance to create a composite comparison record. A head-to-head comparison of the FE and VCR methods used the same charter students to test the FE control (e.g., the charter student's own traditional public school experience) and the VCR for equivalence. The comparison produced highly similar estimates; charter coefficients were identical in sign and significance and of the same general magnitudes. In an analysis of the sampling fractions included in each method using all available tested charter students, the VCR method was found to produce more generalizable results. In the policy analysis, charter school quality was found to be demographically and geographically uneven with only 19 percent of charter schools outperforming their local markets.
Endovascular stent graft treatment of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm

A 5-year-old girl with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, hypoplastic pulmonary arteries, and multiple pulmonary artery reconstructive procedures presented with an enlarging pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm. A previous attempt to occlude the aneurysm was unsuccessful and the aneurysm continued to enlarge. We describe the percutaneous placement of an endovascular stent graft to occlude the aneurysm. This novel use of a covered graft effectively treated a potentially lethal problem without reoperative thoracotomy or sternotomy.
Decentralized control of large-scale networks as a game with local interactions: cross-layer TCP/IP optimization

Developing optimized distributed protocols for large-scale networks is a challenging problem due to scalability and stability concerns. Scalability concerns can be naturally addressed by interpreting distributed protocols as a non-cooperative game of local protocol components attempting to maximize their individual utilities. One of the difficulties in implementing this approach is developing adaptive algorithms capable of learning of the expected utilities and adjusting the corresponding control actions for the purpose of approaching the solution to the corresponding game, and thus optimization of the global system performance. It is known that the best response by each component to its expected utility may result in unstable behavior and deterioration of the overall performance. On an example of cross-layer optimization of a TCP/IP network, this paper discusses the possibility of avoiding these undesirable effects by allowing the control actions occasionally deviate from their best response values. Using simulations, the paper suggests that (a) sufficient level of randomness in route selection improves the network performance by eliminating the route flapping instability, (b) the optimal level of randomness keeps the network within the stability region in close proximity to the border of this region, and (c) it may be possible to optimize the network performance by adjusting the level of randomness.
Surface anisotropy and surface spin canting in the semi-infinite ferromagnet.

In a semi-infinite ferromagnet with surface anisotropy, the spins near the surface may cant if the easy axis associated with the surface is noncollinear with the bulk magnetization. We show that such canting occurs only when the surface-anisotropy field ${H}_{s}$ exceeds a critical value ${H}_{s}^{(c)}$, which is large compared to surface-anisotropy fields inferred from recent experiments.
Plant Community Composition More Predictive than Diversity of Carbon Cycling in Freshwater Wetlands

Changes in the world’s species composition and the loss of biodiversity have prompted a closer investigation of the importance of biodiversity and community composition to ecosystem functioning. However, few studies have explored this relationship outside of controlled experiments. Here, we examined the relationship between plant diversity, primary production, and methane efflux in freshwater wetlands in an across-site field study and assessed the applicability of experimental findings to natural wetlands. Four wetland sites in central Ohio (USA) were divided into two plant communities, one dominated by clonal species and one dominated by non-clonal species. We found that plant diversity was negatively correlated with aboveground biomass in both the clonal and non-clonal communities. Overall, plant community composition was a stronger predictor than diversity of the response variables and in certain instances a stronger predictor than environmental factors such as soil organic matter content, moisture content, and pH. Thus, plant community composition is an important driver of ecosystem functioning in depressional wetlands beyond the well-known environmental factors. Additionally, our work indicates that results from experimental wetland studies of the relationship among diversity, biomass and methane emission are not applicable to the wetland ecosystems included in our study.
Demonstration of specific binding of cocaine to human spermatozoa.

Exposure of males to cocaine has been linked to abnormal development of their offspring. To investigate the possible role of sperm, this study examined the interaction of cocaine with human spermatozoa. Washed sperm were incubated with tritiated cocaine (6.7 nmol/L) with or without unlabeled cocaine (670 μmol/L), and the samples were filtered and the remaining radioactivity quantitated. The specific binding was optimal at 20 minutes and 23°C. Competition studies with tritiated cocaine (3.4 to 66.6 nmol/L) indicated the presence of approximately 3.6× 103binding sites per cell, with a high affinity receptor dissociation constant (Kd= 12.6 nmol/L). Cocaine concentrations as high as 670 μmol/L had no detectable effect on either the motility or viability of the cells. These results support the hypothesis that the sperm may act as a vector to transport cocaine into an ovum. This novel mechanism could be involved in the abnormal development of offspring of cocaine-exposed males. (JAMA. 1991;266:1956-1959)
Possible reinforcement of the tungsten-nickel-iron composite with tungsten fibers

Abstract Tungsten wire fibers were added to the liquid-phase sintered heavy alloy (WNiFe) composite in an attempt to improve its low temperature strength and ductility. The as-drawn tungsten fibers which can have strengths exceeding 400,000 psi (281 kg/mm2) were dissolved during the sintering process, whereas fibers which had been given a prior recrystallization anneal above the sintering temperature were not dissolved. Thus, the dissolution behavior of fiber additions is not governed solely by surface energy considerations but by the total energy content of the particles.
A unified many-body theory of dielectronic recombination and autoionization

Treating the dielectronic recombination as an inverse photoionization process of an atom (or molecule) in a Rydberg state, a unified many-body theory of radiative and dielectronic recombination is presented which includes a treatment of the competing autoionization decay channel on the same footing. Actually the key quantities which contain the typical many-body features such as energy dependence, in particular, resonances, and nonlocality serve in the construction of both the self-energy operator for the electron and an effective dipole operator for the interaction with the radiation field and have to be calculated only once.
Constructing and disrupting Ireland's industrial development authority

Actor-network theory is considered to have great potential for broadening and deepening our grasp of institutional work (LAWRENCE; SUDDABY, 2006). Given its focus on process, ANT offers a means to breathe life into the practices associated with institutionalization. With Callon's (1986) four moments of translation as analytical lens, and with Ireland's Industrial Development Authority as empirical example, I seek to address the concerns of Clegg and Machado da Silva (2009) by reconsidering "the role of agency, power, persistence and change in the process of institutionalization".
Scaled model studies of thin oil columns produced by natural water drive

The oil production performance of thin oil column reservoirs, producing entirely by natural water drive, are discussed. The dimensionless production histories were obtained in a series of scaled porous-medium laboratory- model tests under varying effects of rate of production, of mobility ratio across moving boundary, of ratio of oil- and water-sand thicknesses and of mobility ratio across fixed boundary, including the effects of different residual oil saturations in the water-invaded regions. This scaled model study of thin oil columns indicated that greater recovery of oil results for lower values of the following: rate of production, mobility ratio across the moving boundary, water-sand thickness relative to the oil-sand thickness, and mobility ratio across the fixed boundary or residual oil saturation in the water-invaded region of oil-sand. (11 refs.)
An update on the treatment of hypogonadism, Part 1: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism

Abstract This review concentrates on the treatment for some of the more common causes of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Females with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism have constituted much of this data because those with chromosomally competent ovarian failure (CCOF) and chromosomally incompetent ovarian failure (CIOF) have the potential to conceive, and women with CIOF have been treated hormonally in attempts to increase growth. Males with chromosomally incompetent gonad failure (CIGF), most commonly 47,XXY, are not short, so this is not an issue. Pure 47,XXY males rarely are able to impregnate women unless they are mosaics. More data is needed in CIOF women before the final consensus of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) and oxandrolone can be reached. It is important to note that treatment with rGH has been restricted to study protocols, and only the treatment of growth hormone deficiency is FDA approved. Currently it appears prudent to discuss treatment options with patients having hypergonadotropic hypogonadism with respect to sexual development, reproductive potential, growth, and the prevention of complications such as osteoporosis and heart disease. It is the opinion of this author that if patients do desire to use rGH and oxandrolone, that they be treated by physicians directly involved in research protocols or after discussion with investigators who have experience in these treatment protocols. The induction of secondary sexual characteristics may be started after the completion of treatment for growth, which may be up to 3-5 years. If the woman does not desire therapy for growth, it appears reasonable to begin hormone replacement at ages 9–11, or at the time of diagnosis, if the individual is older. Like-wise, males may begin testosterone treatment beginning at about ages 10–12. Support, discussion about potential complications of the disease and the replacement medication, and psychologic considerations must be considered for the complete management in individuals with hypogonadism.
Bending Simulation of BGA SMT Assemblies and Application to System Level Drop Simulation

This paper will examine the displacement and strain behavior of solder joints during static and dynamic bending. Simulation has shown that four point dynamic bending test result in a higher accumulation of plastic strain than static bending at equivalent board strains. This is important as the yielding and failure of lead-free solder joints occurs primarily at the joint package interface. Solder joint strains are on the order of magnitude higher than printed circuit board (PCB) bending strains at the edge of the package. Additionally, a method for using solder joint stretch has been developed for measuring joint response. Utilizing the concept of solder stretch, a technique for using equivalent beam models for the solder joints in a system level drop will be introduced. Results for three different beam model strategies will be given. The results show these techniques are valid and their use will greatly increase the ability to determine package impact reliability during the design stages.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Kinetics of electric-field-induced ferroelectric phase transitions in relaxor ferroelectrics

The kinetics of electric-field-induced ferroelectric phase transitions in relaxor ferroelectrics observed recently [S. B. Vakhrushev, J. M. Kiat, and B. Dkhil, Solid State Commun. 103, 477 (1997); B. Dkhil and J. M. Kiat, J. Appl. Phys. 90, 4676 (2001)] is analyzed in the framework of a dynamical model of relaxors which incorporates features of nonequilibrium glassy dynamics resembling that in dipole glasses, with the high polarizabity of the system being in the vicinity of the ferroelectric threshold. We show that the dynamical equations may be reduced to a Landau-type phenomenological polynomial in which the linear coefficient---zero-field-cooled permittivity---is a function of time. The theory adequately reproduces the features of electric-field induced polarization growth observed in the experiment.
U.S. Hurricanes and Economic Damage: Extreme Value Perspective

AbstractThe historical record of U.S. hurricane damage is analyzed using a peaks-over-threshold approach in which the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) is applied to model excesses above a specified threshold for a given damage metric. In addition to absolute hurricane damages (total damage), this paper defines a damage index as the ratio of base-year economic damages to the available economic value in the affected region. The paper then incorporates physical covariates at the individual hurricane level into the GPD model, namely, maximum wind speed and a simple yet novel measure of the mean bathymetric slope at landfall, and applies the analysis to both the total damage and the damage index. The parameters of the GPD models with physical covariates are estimated with maximum-likelihood estimation. The results show that for total damage, the only useful covariate is maximum wind speed. However, for the damage index, both the mean bathymetric slope and the maximum wind speed are found to be useful, wit...
Cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the ischemic and failing heart

Despite modern medical therapy, heart failure continues to be an important public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality. There is now increasing evidence from both animal models and humans supporting that apoptosis contributes to cardiomyocyte cell loss during acute ischemic injury and chronic heart failure, and that cardiomyocyte apoptosis contributes to heart failure progression. Therapies directed at preventing apoptosis within the heart have, therefore, emerged as attractive avenues of investigation.
Neural network algorithms for the correction of concrete slab stresses from linear elastic layered programs

Elastic layered programs (ELPs) are currently being used in mechanistic-based pavement design procedures for the analysis of jointed portland cement concrete pavements. Corrections must be made to stresses obtained from ELP solutions to account for the effects of finite slab size, load location on the slab, and load transfer efficiency of the joints. A preliminary artificial neural network (ANN) model is trained and used as a tool to predict the results of a finite-element analysis program for a standard pavement section. Under identical loading conditions, the trained neural network produces stresses within 1.2 percent of those obtained from finite-element analyses. The trained ANN model is found to be very effective for correcting ELP stresses, practically in the blink of an eye, with no requirements of complicated finite-element inputs. The preliminary ANN algorithm is currently being expanded to handle more general input conditions covering a wide range of slab sizes, slab thicknesses, subgrade suppor...
Application of Higher-Order Methods in Compositional Simulation

A third-order differencing scheme is described and compared with several alternative methods commonly used to discretize the convection term of the component conservation equations of compositional simulators. This method can be used at higher cell Peclet numbers than those used with other common convective differencing schemes, resulting in a substantial saving in computation time for the same accuracy Comparisons are made with analytical solutions and with 2D and 3D simulation results for single-point upstream weighting, two-point upstream weighting, and Chaudhari's method.
Effects of co-administration of methanol leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus on the hypoglycemic activity of metformin and glibenclamide in rats.

Objective To investigate the interacting effects of co-administration of methanol leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) on the hypoglycemic activity of metformin as well as glibenclamide using experimental rats.
The “FLIPI” is no “FLOPI”

Comment on Solal-Celigny et al, page [1258][1] The FLIPI provides an important tool to predict outcomes for patients with follicular lymphoma and may ultimately help to tailor therapy. The management of indolent lymphoma presents a challenge to clinicians as well as to patients and their
Importance of dipolar resonance structures in determining ground state charge distribution

Abstract AM1 SCRF calculations indicate the substantial importance of solvent-assisted polar resonance in acrolein and vinylamine.
Solving Einstein's equations for rotating spacetimes: Evolution of relativistic star clusters.

A numerical relativity code designed to evolve rotating axisymmetric spacetimes is constructed. Both polarization states of gravitational radiation can be tracked. The source of the gravitational field is chosen to be a configuration of collisionless particles. The code is used to evaluate the stability of polytropic and toroidal star clusters. The formation of Kerr black holes by the collapse of unstable clusters is demonstrated. Unstable clusters with $\frac{J}{{M}^{2}}l1$ collapse to black holes, while those with $\frac{J}{{M}^{2}}g1$ collapse to new equilibrium configurations.
P-1068 - A case report of neuroleptic malignant syndrome

This is a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, although NMS is one of the rarest and the most serious of the neroleptic induced movement disorder and with the advent of atypical antipsychotics the incidence has dropped dramatically with the most recent data suggesting an incidence of 0.01%–0.02% (American Journal of Psychiatry 2007, strawn et al) but cases still exist, with the use of atypical antipsychotics, patients might not present a full blown clinical picture but still meets all the criteria for NMS.
The nature of polypeptides larger in size than the major surface antigen components of hepatitis B and like viruses in ground squirrels, woodchucks, and ducks

Abstract The relationships of the various polypeptides associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), ground squirrel hepatitis surface antigen (GSHsAg), woodchuck hepatitis surface antigen (WHsAg), and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and tryptic peptide mapping. Analysis of independent antigen isolates by SDS-PAGE resulted in bands consistently observed at 24,000, 28,000, 32,000, 43,000, and 50,000 Da with HBsAg; at 22,000, 25,000, 35,000, 37,000, 39,000, and 42,000 Da with GSHsAg and WHsAg; and at 18,500, 30,000, and 38,500 Da with DHBsAg. Comparison of the major polypeptide pair from the mammalian viruses by tryptic peptide mapping suggests more than a single point of glycosylation or other post-translational modification(s) in some paired comparisons and/ or heterogeneity in glycosylation in others. Comparison of the major component of each mammalian virus (HBsAg p24, GSHsAg p22, or WHsAg p22), or the major polypeptide of DHBsAg (p18.5), with their respective larger polypeptides by peptide mapping indicated that one or more of the larger components in each virus shares extensive homology with the appropriate major component. Further, these larger components possess additional spots, interpreted as additional primary sequences, which were not found in the map of the appropriate major component. Collectively, the results suggest that a number of surface antigen-associated polypeptides may be partially encoded for by the pre-S gene region known to exist in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), and likely to exist in ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHV) and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA.
Classical trajectory study of infrared multiphoton photodissociation

Classical trajectories on a realistic model potential energy surface (approximating one dissociation channel of CD_3Cl) driven by an external force have been used to model infrared multiphoton dissociation. This model predicts a reasonable energy density threshold behavior, and generally (except at extremely high power densities) shows random (RRKM-like) behavior of the highly excited molecules, although non-random effects are evident immediately after the field is turned on.
Dose Rate Effects in MOS Microcircuits

Three read/write random access memories, AM91L24, HM1-6514, and MWS 5114, were subjected to total dose irradiation at three dose rates, with electrical testing after each increment of dosage. Annealing measurements were performed after the radiation tests were completed. The AM91L24 showed a strong dose rate effect and substantial postirradiation annealing of radiation-induced damage. The dose rate effect was that a lower dose rate produced less net damage than an eqivalent total dose applied at a higher rate. The HM1-6514 showed essentially no dose rate effect and no annealing of damage, and the MWS 5114 exhibited a moderate effect with some annealing. It was concluded that dose rate is an important parameter in radiation test procedures for MOS microcircuits and that annealing measurements may be important evaluation aids for such tests.
Rapid Fluence-Dependent Responses to Ultraviolet-B Radiation in Cucumber Leaves: The Role of UV-Absorbing Pigments in Damage Protection

Summary The role of foliar UV-absorbing pigments (UVAP) as optical screening agents in the resistance of Cucumis sativus L. to UV-B radiation was investigated by exposing young leaves at a defined developmental stage from sensitive (cv Poinsett) and insensitive (cv Ashley) lines to brief UV-B treatments varying between 4 and 10 h. The amount of blue light (BL) or UV-A radiation during UV-B exposure was also varied. Rapid increases in UVAP immediately following UV-B were compared to damage in the same tissue (increased specific leaf weight or chlorosis) determined 72 h after the start of UV-B. Poinsett was more sensitive to both forms of UV-B damage than Ashley under conditions where the response to UV-B was not saturated. Although UVAP increased rapidly in response to UV-B, it is unlikely that optical screening by these compounds was responsible for genetic differences in sensitivity to UV-B for the following reasons: 1) the kinetics of UVAP increase were similar to that for induction of damage; 2) increases in UVAP in the UV-sensitive line (Poinsett) were similar to those in the resistant line (Ashley); and 3) BL and UV-A radiation significantly reduced damage by UV-B in cv Poinsett when given simultaneously but had relatively small stimulatory effects on rapid UVAP accumulation. These results do not rule out a general role for optical screening by UVAP nor do they exclude the possibility that qualitative differences in UVAP (e.g., as antioxidants) are the basis for cultivar differences.
C-arm calibration: is it really necessary?

C-arm fluoroscopy is modelled as a perspective projection, the parameters of which are estimated through a calibration procedure. It has been universally accepted that precise intra-procedural calibration is a prerequisite for accurate quantitative C-arm fluoroscopy guidance. Calibration, however, significantly adds to system complexity, which is a major impediment to clinical practice. We challenge the status quo by questioning the assumption that precise intra-procedural C-arm calibration is really necessary. Using our theoretical framework, we derive upper bounds on the effect of mis-calibration on various algorithms like C-arm tracking, 3D reconstruction and surgical guidance in virtual fluoroscopy - some of the most common techniques in intra-operative fluoroscopic guidance. To derive bounds as a function of mis-calibration, we model the error using an a.ne transform. This is fairly intuitive, since small amounts of mis-calibration result in predictably linear transformation of the reconstruction space. Experiments indicate the validity of this approximation even for 50 mm mis-calibrations.
State-of-the-art and emerging technologies for atrial fibrillation ablation

Catheter ablation is an important treatment modality for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the superiority of catheter ablation over antiarrhythmic drug therapy has been demonstrated in middle-aged patients with paroxysmal AF, the role the procedure in other patient subgroups-particularly those with long-standing persistent AF-has not been well defined. Furthermore, although AF ablation can be performed with reasonable efficacy and safety by experienced operators, long-term success rates for single procedures are suboptimal. Fortunately, extensive ongoing research will improve our understanding of the mechanisms of AF, and considerable funds are being invested in developing new ablation technologies to improve patient outcomes. These technologies include ablation catheters designed to electrically isolate the pulmonary veins with improved safety, efficacy, and speed, catheters designed to deliver radiofrequency energy with improved precision, robotic systems to address the technological demands of the procedure, improved imaging and electrical mapping systems, and MRI-guided ablation strategies. The tools, technologies, and techniques that will ultimately stand the test of time and become the standard approach to AF ablation in the future remain unclear. However, technological advances are sure to result in the necessary improvements in the safety and efficacy of AF ablation procedures.
Primary cultures of hepatocytes in serum and hormone-free medium: identification of conditions which stimulate an in vivo-like induction of G6PD.

Recent results from several laboratories suggest that complex interactions between hormones and dietary carbohydrate may be responsible for regulating the induction of several hepatic lipogenic enzymes. Elucidation of these interactions requires the ability to culture hepatocytes for several days in serum-free medium where the hormones or carbohydrate or both present is strictly controlled. The functional response of primary adult rat hepatocytes was examined in a medium without exposure to serum, hormones, or carbohydrates and on three substrata commonly used to culture cells in a defined medium. Hepatocytes cultured on a floating collagen gel in which is embedded a nylon mesh possess cell attachment and morphologic characteristics superior to either cells cultured on a collagen-coated or fibronectin(Fn)-coated substratum. Cells cultured on the gel-mesh system retain insulin responsivity, as measured by protein synthesis rates and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) induction, for at least 6 d in culture. Under these conditions, insulin, dexamethasone, and fructose increase G6PD specific activity to levels comparble to that seen in an induced animal. Hepatocytes cultured on the gel-mesh system tolerate restricted medium conditions better than cells cultured on collagen or Fn-coated substratum, and remain viable for sufficient times to allow, for the first time, full expression and maximal induction (i.e. like in vivo), of G6PD in cultured cells. This system represents a satisfactory model for in vivo liver metabolism and a superior system for studying the effects of hormones and metabolites on G6PD levels, as well as other nutritional-hormonally regulated enzymes.
A payload verification and management framework for small UAV-based personal remote sensing systems

Small, unmanned aerial systems are becoming more important in many fields, including civilian, scientific applications. Affordable systems that allow remote sensing at a small scale—personal remote sensing—are possible with proper system design. To assure data mission success (i.e., reliable and safe data collection) with low-cost or consumer-level sensor hardware, a well-designed payload management system is needed, along with sensor interface development and standardized testing frameworks for verification. This payload management system ensures a level of airworthiness for Data Mission Assurance. This paper presents such a system, along with motivations and choices such as system architecture and implementation, as well as standardized testing and verification. Data results from flight of a fixed-wing example payload is also included.
A distinct signal peptidase for prolipoprotein in Escherichia coli.

We have previously demonstrated the modification and processing of Escherichia coli prolipoprotein (Braun's) in vitro (Tokunaga M, Tokunaga H. Wu HC: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 79:2255, 1982). Using this in vitro assay of prolipoprotein signal peptidase and globomycin selection, we have isolated and partially characterized an E coli mutant which contained a higher level of prolipoprotein signal peptidase activity. In contrast, the procoat protein signal peptidase activity was not increased in this mutant as compared to the wild-type strain. Furthermore, E coli strains containing cloned procoat protein signal peptidase gene were found to contain elevated levels of procoat protein signal peptidase, but normal levels of prolipoprotein signal peptidase. These two signal peptidase activities were also found to exhibit different stabilities during storage at 4°C. Thus biochemical, immunological, and genetic evidence clearly indicate that prolipoprotein signal peptidase is distinct from procoat protein signal peptidase in E coli.
Influence of age on turnover times of normal, ultraviolet-irradiated, and tape-burned hairless mouse skin

AbstractThe turnover time of normal and ultraviolet-(UV) burned skin was compared in 3-5-, 12-, and 20-month-old hairless mice. All mice were given 0.05 JUVB irradiation on a prescribed area of skin on one side of the body. A paired site contralateral to the burn was left untreated and served as a control. Forty-eight hours after irradiation, an intraperitoneal injection containing 25 μCi tritium-labeled glycine in an aqueous medium was administered to each mouse. Once a day thereafter for a total of 16 days skin cells were harvested from the irradiated and control surfaces by tape stripping. The strippings were assayed for radioactivity. Turnover times, essentially of the stratum corneum, were determined from the inflection points of resultant cumulative counts per million (CPM) vs. time curves. Significant differences in the turnover times of the treated and control skins existed in all age groups. Moreover, the UV-treated skin showed a statistically significant increase in turnover time with increasing...
Molecular structure of the La and Ro autoantigens and their use in autoimmune diagnostics.

Abstract Recombinant autoantigens of the La and Ro specificities have been produced and analyzed using immunological and genetic techniques. Human La cDNA and genomic clones were isolated that encode a protein of 46.7 kDa (408 amino acids). An active La gene consisting of 11 exons was localized on chromosome 2 and has an upstream transcriptional regulatory region resembling ‘housekeeping’ genes as well as elements homologous to the H-ras gene promoter which is presumably a ‘regulated’ gene. A long stretch of alpha helix is predicted in the middle of the La molecule and this region contains an immunodominant epitope. Human Ro protein is encoded by a 1.7 kb mRNA and is 60.6 kDa (538 amino acids) in size. A variety of cDNA clones was isolated and characterized, including those from liver, endothelium, brain and placenta. Long regions of predicted alpha helix also reside in the Ro protein but no sequence similarities to La protein have been found. A possible zinc finger motif that is characterestic of other known nucleic acid binding proteins resides near the middle of the Ro protein. Both the La and Ro proteins contain an extended RNA recognition motif about a region of 80 amino acids but they are less similar in this respect than the known snRNA-binding proteins [1].
Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a general term used to describe diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the intestine. Although there are many theories concerning the etiology of CD and UC, none have been proven. Since many symptoms of CD and UC are similar, diagnosis is often difficult and relies on detailed clinical evaluation, the results of endoscopic, histologic and radiographic examination, and the exclusion of other disorders. Diagnosis of IBD in pediatric patients can often be particularly difficult because of nonspecific symptoms early in the disease. While an accurate differential diagnosis is possible with most patients, 10–15% of patients have an indeterminate form with features common to both CD and UC. With time, many of these patients are eventually classified as either CD or UC. The development of accurate, standardized, reproducible and non-invasive serological tests could provide clinicians with a valuable tool to assist in the assessment and diagnosis of IBD patients. Furthermore, accurate serological tests may assist clinicians make earlier diagnoses in pediatric patients. There has been a rapidly expanding interest and research into the identification and development of serological markers to assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with IBD. General markers of inflammation provide some information, but are not disease-specific. Autoantibodies to various antigens have been identified, but most have not proven to have adequate sensitivity, specificity or availability to be useful in the clinical laboratory. Two exceptions are ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and ASCA (anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies). The first part of this article will present a general overview of IBD, followed by a review of some of the markers that have been evaluated for IBD. The second part will focus specifically on the development and current experiences with ASCA assays in the laboratory.
Coffee consumption and blood pressure: a randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Objective:To examine the effect of moderate coffee consumption on blood pressure over a prolonged period of time. Previous work in this area has used primarily purified caffeine.
Literacy and Departments of Language and Literature

As a member of the MLA executive Council, I participated in the discussions that led to this* conference and felt moved by my colleagues and their sense of urgency, particularly as expressed by Rosemarie Scullion and Sylvia Molloy. At the time of our council meetings, however, I was thinking mostly about staffing issues and the various reports and resolutions related to the use of graduate student and non-tenure-stream labor — some of them useful, some of them not very useful at all. And there I felt a real sense of urgency — and I remember thinking that there might be a way these issues converged.
Adding concentrated solar power plants to wind farms to achieve a good utility electrical load match

Abstract Texas has the greatest installed wind turbine capacity of any state in the United States, but as the percentage of wind generation approaches 10% of the utilities total electrical generation (in 2012, the total wind generated electricity in Texas was 7.4%), it becomes increasingly difficult for the utility to balance the electrical load due to the mismatch between the wind farm (WF) generated electricity and the utility electrical loading. In this paper WF output was shown to be diurnally and seasonally mismatched with the utility electrical loading in the Texas Panhandle (e.g. Texas Panhandle has the highest wind energy resource in Texas). In addition, the wind farm output in the Texas Panhandle does not normally contribute significantly at the peak hourly electrical load, and the peak hourly electrical load is a major deciding factor for a utility to add new power plants. A financial analysis was also performed on all the renewable energy systems analyzed. Various ratios of wind farm output to concentrating solar power (CSP) parabolic trough plant output (with 6 h of thermal storage) were calculated for the Texas Panhandle and compared to the utility electrical loading on an annual and peak monthly basis (each renewable energy system was analyzed at a 100 MW rating). The 67 MW wind farm and the 33 MW CSP plant with 6 h of thermal storage was approximately the best match to the utility electrical loading. The utility electrical load was also compared to: a 100 MW WF, a 100 MW CSP plant (with and without 6 h thermal storage), and finally the 67 MW WF with 33 MW CSP plant (with 6 h of thermal storage) on an annual, monthly, and peak hourly load basis. Typically for each month, the wind farm did not match the utility electrical loading except in the evening while the CSP plant (without storage) matched the utility electrical loading with the exception of in the evening. For the peak utility electrical loading months (July and August) and the days with the peak electrical loadings during those months, the 100 MW CSP plant with 6 h of thermal storage performed best in terms of supporting the utility electrical load (e.g. no wind farm). For the Texas Panhandle the estimated levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of a hybrid WF/CSP plant was in the range of $108/MW h to $129/MW h while the WF only system was estimated to be $64/MW h, but the benefits of adding CSP may justify the additional cost. Although the Texas Panhandle was the only location analyzed for combining CSP plants with WFs, the analysis described in this paper can be used for other regions, states, or countries.
Measuring Infant Memory: A Critical Commentary.

Abstract Although Bogartz (1996) has engaged in an interesting mathematical exercise, he has revealed no new solution to the real-world problem of when a prior infant experience is likely to affect future behavior and has offered no behavioral evidence that his proposed measure yields outcomes substantially different from those obtained with extant measures. Moreover, his proposed measure of retention fails to recognize that response rate is not a parameter of response strength (Collier & Rovee-Collier, 1983). Our measures have concurrent validity: They yield results highly similar to those reported by infant researchers who use vastly different measures and functional relations highly similar to those reported in studies with animals and human adults. In addition, we have published evidence of their predictive validity. To quote an ancient Socratic scholar (Yogi Berra), “If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”
An assessment on the impacts of photovoltaic systems on operational costs of the grid - The case of the state of Georgia

One of the main issues related to photovoltaic systems is the overall system cost. Therefore, it is very important to develop the right energy policies to incentive its implementation. This study analyses the hypothetical impacts of photovoltaic systems in the operational cost of the grid of the State of Georgia. Spinning reserve is modeled as ten gas power plants providing together equal capacity whose costs are stochastically calculated. The economic emissions dispatch is then calculated to obtain the hourly distribution of the annual generation. Also, the daily operation of PV and gas turbines in minute resolution is simulated to obtain results from the standpoint of costs imposed by rapid changes of PV output and use of spinning reserve in comparison with the results obtained when spinning reserve is not used. The results indicate that with current costs, significant reduction of emissions occurs as expected, however the total production costs increases.