cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apparent change in cardiac geometry during single-photon emission tomography thallium-201 acquisition: a complex phenomenon.

We investigated the frequency and extent of changes in heart position and geometry independent of body motion during stress single-photon emission tomography (SPET) thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging. Following an exercise treadmill test, patients had a 22.1-min SPET acquisition which was followed immediately by a static image acquisition for 1 min with the camera position identical to the first view of the SPET study. Point sources were placed on the body to monitor patient motion. Cardiac motion was assessed by an approach which mimicked a cross-correlation technique applied to cardiac count profiles along the horizontal and vertical directions from the first view of the SPET study and the static image. A large percentage (87.5%) of cases had some degree of horizontal or vertical motion. Pixel shifts in cardiac position of ≧2 pixels (12 mm) occurred in 60% of patients. In 37% of patients who moved the cardiac motion was consistent with simple translation of the heart and thus amenable to correction using proposed SPET motion-correction programs. The peak heart rate achieved during stress and the ratio of the heart rate immediately before SPET acquisition to the resting heart rate were determined to be independent predictors of patient motion during SPET acquisition. Cardiac motion changes were minimal at (13.3 ±2.2) min after cessation of exercise. The implications of these findings for the accuracy of SPET 201Tl require further investigation.
Increased peripheral blood leukocyte cytotoxic activity in cancer patients during the continuous intravenous administration of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor.

Peripheral blood leukocyte cytotoxic activity was studied in cancer patients being treated with a continuous 5-day intravenous infusion of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) at a dose of 40 µg/m2/day. All of the nine patients tested experienced a marked increase in circulating leukocyte cytotoxic activity over the 5-day course of treatment. The increase in cytotoxic activity was paralleled by an overall decrease in the number of peripheral blood leukocytes. The percentage of circulating Leu 19+ natural killer cells fell in all patients, while the numbers of both Leu 4+ T cells and Leu 19+/Leu 4+ cytotoxic T cells remained constant. Our findings suggest that the intravenous administration of recombinant TNF may be accompanied by an immunoenhancement due either to an improvement in cytotoxic cell function or to alterations in the trafficking of leukocytes.
Design of a phone-based clinical decision support system for resource-limited settings

While previous work has shown that clinical decision support systems (CDSS) improve patient care in resource-limited settings, there is little access to such systems at the point of care. Moreover, even when CDSS are available, compliance with care suggestions remain low. In this paper, we use a multi-method approach to document four failure modes that can affect CDSS implementations. Building from six iteratively derived design principles, we describe a phone-based system designed to address these failure modes. Through a formal usability evaluation, we discover six core findings that are important for implementers of mobile systems for health care providers in resource-limited settings.
Is endoscopic follow-up needed in pediatric patients who undergo surgery for GERD?

Background: This study evaluated the role of endoscopy in the postoperative management of pediatric patients who undergo fundoplication for GERD. Methods: Medical records of 109 otherwise healthy children who underwent operation for GERD from 1979 to 1996 were reviewed. Patients with respiratory symptoms or esophageal stenosis were excluded. All patients underwent endoscopic surveillance with endoscopy being performed in the early (within 1 year) and late (between 1 and 2 years) postoperative periods. Specifically evaluated were the appearance of the wrap and evidence of esophagitis. The risk of a recurrence of esophagitis based on wrap appearance and the presence of clinical symptoms in patients with endoscopic evidence of esophagitis were also evaluated. Results: At early endoscopy 3 patients with an intact wrap and 8 with a defective wrap had esophagitis (not significant). At late endoscopy, 5 patients with an intact wrap and 17 with a defective wrap had esophagitis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: An intact wrap does not prevent recurrence of GERD. Such an occurrence is even more likely when endoscopy demonstrates a defective wrap. For all patients who have undergone fundoplication, endoscopic evaluation at 1 to 2 years is recommended to detect esophagitis in the absence of symptoms so treatment can be initiated before symptoms occur. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:387-9.)
Unresolved Childhood Sexual Abuse: Are Older Adults Affected?.

This article presents case studies and discussions regarding three observed characteristics of unresolved childhood sexual abuse in adult survivors over 65 years of age. Specifically, chronic depression, elder abuse, and the misdiagnoses of residual abuse trauma as dementia or mental illness are compared to parallel issues identified by researchers in younger adult survivors. A brief overview of the childhood abuse literature and recommendations regarding professional training, the development of new services, and additional research are included.
Pediatric Hodgkin's disease: Treatment in the late 1990s

Background. For two decades now combined chemo-radiotherapy has been preferred in most of the studies on childhood Hodgkin's disease (HD), because combined modality is the precondition for (I) reducing the radiation dose, (2) reducing the radiation fields, (3) shortening chemotherapy, (4) omitting splenectomy and laparotomy, and thus, for optimizing the benefit/risk ratio between cure rates and late effects. Recently, the rationale for this approach was strengthened by worrisome data about the increasing incidence of secondary breast cancer in women treated for HD in childhood, adolescence or adult age 40 Gy than after lower doses, These findings suggest that pediatric therapy approaches abandoning radiotherapy alone with its high doses and large fields should be extended to adolescents treated outside of pediatric studies and to adults younger than 30. The risk of chemotherapy-related secondary leukemias can be limited to < 1% by omitting mechlorethamine and restricting the cumulative doses of other drugs with leukemogenic potential, as demonstrated by the experience with ABVD and the recently published data of the German- Austrian pediatric group. Patients and methods. The updated results of the German-Austrian multicenter study HD-90 are presented in this paper (578 patients < 18 years, follow-up median 4 years, maximum 7 years). Patients were allocated to three treatment groups (TG) according to disease stage. In all three TG, induction chemotherapy ( CT) provided two cycles of OPPA (vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, adriamycin) for girls and two cycles of OEPA (etoposide instead of procarbazine) for boys. Patients of TG 2 and 3 additionally received two or four cycles of COPP (C, cyclophosphamide). respectively. CT was followed by radiotherapy to the involved sites (reduced fields if possible) of 25, 25 and 20 Gy in the 3 TG, respectively. Preliminary results: For the total group of 578 pats, overall survival (OS) at 5 years is 98% and event-free survival (EFS) 91%. In TG 1. EFS for girls (2 OPPA) is 96 and for boys (OEPA), 94%, in TG 2 and 3 (combined), 92% and 86%. respectively. Secondary leukemias were not observed sc far. thirty-one male patients of TG I who were tested endocrinologically showed normal FSH levels. Conclusions: The especially high efficacy of OPPA and OPPA/COPP could be confirmed in study HD-90 with reduced radiation doses and fields. OEPA and OEPA/COPP CT also produced very favorable results, not significantly different from those with OPPA and OPPA /COPP. It may be anticipated that the ratio beetween cure rates and risks of late effects of study HD-90 will compare favorably to approaches of other groups. It would be useful for the future continued optimization of HD therapy to attain a rough consensus at an international level about principles which should be considered for pediatric approaches. Some proposals have been made for treatment of early stages.
Family Functioning Factors Associated with the Adjustment of Children of Divorce

Data collected from 95 children of divorce and their custodial parents were based on the cildren's current mental health in relation to measures of family functioning. The study examined the predictive value of two instruments designed to assess family functioning (Family Assessment Device and Divorce Adjustment Inventory) in accounting for children's current functioning as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Three factors from the two family functioning instruments accounted for 48% of the CBCL variance. Factor structures for the DAI were found to be similar to those of an earlier study with divorced families. Children of divorce were found to be healthy when family roles were maintained and parents resolved their differences in ways that modeled coping skills and reduced post-divorce conflict.
The effect of gap anisotropy on radiation-induced Tc changes in the A-15 superconductors

Abstract The irradiation of A15 superconductors by energetic particles such as 4He or neutrons in the MeV range produces an unusually large depression of the transition temperature. It has been emphasized by Poate et al. [1] that this depression of T c , and also its saturalion at large fluences, can be correlated well with the associated variation of the electrical resistance ratio between 300 K and low temperatures. This correlation holds whether the defects are introduced by irradiation or in the process of sample preparation. We interpret this universality of behavior as strongly suggesting that the mean free path, l , is the factor that controls T c . Following the original ideas of Markovitz and Kadanoff [2], we propose that decreasing l caused by increasing defect concentration progressively reduces the effective anisotropy of the energy gap and consequently T c . Both the universality and the saturation flow naturally from this model without any adjustable parameters and we are able to account quantitatively for the T c depressions in V3Ge, V3Si, Nb3Sn and Nb3Ge. There is independent evidence for substantial anisotropy in a number of physical properties of these materials and in particular, measurements have been interpreted [3,4] as indicating that the energy gap varies over the Fermi surface by factors of 3 or 4 — an order of magnitude larger variation than is encountered in the elemental superconductors. A fuller account of our model has been published elsewhere [5]. Finally, the precise character of the radiation-induced defects in the A-15's appears to be still some-what uncertain. It is tempting to speculate that 〈100〉 crowdions may exist in these materials. Some qualitative considerations supporting this conjecture are discussed.
Mechanism of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in rat liver

Despite numerous reports citing the acute hepatotoxicity caused by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (ecstasy), the underlying mechanism of organ damage is poorly understood. We hypothesized that key mitochondrial proteins are oxidatively modified and inactivated in MDMA-exposed tissues. The aim of this study was to identify and investigate the mechanism of inactivation of oxidatively modified mitochondrial proteins, prior to the extensive mitochondrial dysfunction and liver damage following MDMA exposure. MDMA-treated rats showed abnormal liver histology with significant elevation in plasma transaminases, nitric oxide synthase, and the level of hydrogen peroxide. Oxidatively modified mitochondrial proteins in control and MDMA-exposed rats were labeled with biotin-N-maleimide (biotin-NM) as a sensitive probe for oxidized proteins, purified with streptavidin-agarose, and resolved using 2-DE. Comparative 2-DE analysis of biotin-NM-labeled proteins revealed markedly increased levels of oxidatively modified proteins following MDMA exposure. Mass spectrometric analysis identified oxidatively modified mitochondrial proteins involved in energy supply, fat metabolism, antioxidant defense, and chaperone activities. Among these, the activities of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolases, and ATP synthase were significantly inhibited following MDMA exposure. Our data show for the first time that MDMA causes the oxidative inactivation of key mitochondrial enzymes which most likely contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent liver damage in MDMA-exposed animals.
Is there a protein ligase

Results obtained from experiments dealing with mammalian, bacterial, phage and mitochondrial protein biosynthesis as well as certain enzymatically performed amino acid replacement studies on Kunitz trypsin inhibitor strongly suggest that protein ligation may be occuring in vivo. Amino acid substitution experiments prove the reversibility of endopeptidase reactions, and protein ligation is the reverse of endopeptidase reaction. These experiments are discussed in detail and the suggestion is made that ligation may also be useful in the repair of certain essential proteins which may become damaged.
Automated deduction: achievements and future directions

Automated deduction (AD) is one of the most advanced and technically deep of the many technologies that constitute computer science. AD software performs tasks ranging from the fast simple deductions of a type checker and the efficient exploration of models, to fully automated deduction and complex deductive interactions in high-level languages. The field lies at an interface with mathematics, logic, and computing theory, as well as with practice. It has contributed fundamental ideas to these fields as well as drawing heavily from them. AD has spawned useful tools and systems, and offers great promise for making substantial progress on some of the most challenging problems in computer science and engineering—-such as how to improve the reliability of systems, how to build secure software, and how to increase productivity in software production. In the mathematics world some previously unsolved problems have been solved by or with the assistance of an AD system. We use the term AD for automated theorem provers, counterexample (model) generation, and consequence generators, in both fully automated and interactive systems. We note that AD systems may establish truth of a statement by means other than a formal proof (a listing of steps that are given or follow from previous steps), for example by a decision procedure such as computing and comparing terms in an equation. Likewise, disproofs are frequently counter examples. This article is based on a report to the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Computer and Computation Research, on the future directions of the field of AD [4]. The genesis of the report is the Workshop on the Future Directions of AD held in Chicago on April 20–21, 1996, chaired by the report author and sponsored by the National Science Foundation. In addition to workshop input from 24 top U.S. researchers and users of the technology and systems, information was collected from the
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis and Keratoconus

The association of keratoconus with atopic disorders has been described in several uncontrolled clinical studies. 1-3 Although keratoconus is known to occur in patients with atopic dermatitis, to the best of our knowledge, the association of keratoconus with vernal keratoconjunctivitis has not been previously reported. We treated two patients with severe unilateral vernal keratoconjunctivitis and unilateral keratoconus.
Determining economic feasibility of fluticasone propionate-salmeterol vs montelukast in the treatment of persistent asthma using a net benefit approach and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.

Background The choice of treatment can have a major impact on the total costs associated with asthma care. Objective To determine the relative cost-effectiveness of twice-daily treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate-salmeterol via Diskus, 100/50 μg, with that of once-daily treatment with oral montelukast as initial maintenance therapy in patients with persistent asthma uncontrolled with a short-acting β 2 -agonist alone. Methods Data from a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, 12-week clinical trial were analyzed. Efficacy end points included (1) symptom-free days (SFDs) during the 12-week period and (2) a 12% or greater increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) from baseline. The economic analysis was performed from a payer's perspective, and hence only direct costs were included in the analysis. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which is the mean difference in average costs divided by the mean difference in average effectiveness, was calculated for both effectiveness outcomes (SFDs and FEV 1 ). Results For the SFDs end point, the ICER for fluticasone propionate-salmeterol vs montelukast was $2.87 (95% confidence interval, −$1.08 to $6.65), indicating that it costs, on average, an extra $2.87 per day for an additional SFD with fluticasone propionate-salmeterol than with montelukast. With regard to FEV 1 , the ICER was $1.79 (95% confidence interval, −$0.72 to $3.86), indicating that it costs, on average, an extra $1.79 per day to achieve a lung function improvement of 12% or greater from baseline with fluticasone propionate-salmeterol than with montelukast. At a widely acceptable ceiling ratio of $9.95 per day, the probability of fluticasone propionate-salmeterol being more cost-effective than montelukast was 99.8% for SFDs and was almost 100% for an FEV 1 improvement of 12% of greater. Conclusions Treating 2 main components of asthma, inflammation and smooth muscle dysfunction, using fluticasone propionate-salmeterol is more cost-effective than using a single mediator antagonist alone, such as montelukast, as initial maintenance therapy for persistent asthma in patients treated with a short-acting β 2 -agonist only.
Isolation and Characterization of the Human Nucleophosmin/B23 (NPM) Gene: Identification of the YY1 Binding Site at the 5′ Enhancer Region

NPM (nucleophosmin/B23) is a major nucleolar protein which is 20 times more abundant in tumor or proliferating cells than in normal resting cells. Recently, it was found that NPM gene is located at the breakpoints of the t(2:5), t(3:5) and t(5:17) chromosome translocation. To understand the human NPM gene's structure and regulation, four genomic clones were isolated from the human chromosome 5 library and their DNA sequences analyzed. The human NPM gene has 12 exons of sizes ranging from 58 to 358 bp. The chromosome breakpoint for t(2:5) and t(5:17) translocation is within intron 4 and the breakpoint for t(3:5) translocation is within intron 6. The initiation site is located 96 bp upstream from the ATG site. A typical TATA box (at -25 nt) and a GC box (at -65 nt) were identified in the promoter region. We identified two gel-shift bands (A and B) with DNA fragment E (-741/-250 nt) by EMSA. A DNA footprint was observed at (-371/-344 nt) with the nuclear extract. A double stranded DNA with the footprint sequence (-371/-344 nt) competed the formation of gel-shift bands A and B in EMSA suggesting that proteins A and B bind to the footprint region. We confirmed that protein A is transcription factor YY1. These results suggest that YY1 may play a role in NPM gene expression. This is the first report on human NPM gene structure and sequence.
Function-to-form mapping: model, representation and applications in design synthesis

Design of a new artifact begins with incomplete knowledge about the final product and the design evolves as it progresses from the conceptual design stage to a more detailed design. In this paper, an effort has been made to give a structural framework, through a set of generic definitions, to product specification, functional representation, artifact representation, artifact behavior and tolerance representation. A design synthesis process has been proposed for evolution of a product from the product specification. The proposed design synthesis method is a mapping from the functional requirements to artifacts, with multi-stage constrained optimization during stages of design evolution. Provisions have been kept to augment and/or modify the product specification and domain knowledge during stages of development to guide the design process. The effectiveness of the proposed design process has been illustrated with a simple design example based on a sample artifact library. An overall design scheme has been presented.
Testing the Polynuclear Hypothesis: Multielectron Reduction of Small Molecules by Triiron Reaction Sites

High-spin trinuclear iron complex (tbsL)Fe3(thf) ([tbsL]6– = [1,3,5-C6H9(NC6H4-o-NSitBuMe2)3]6–) (S = 6) facilitates 2 and 4e– reduction of NxHy type substrates to yield imido and nitrido products. Reaction of hydrazine or phenylhydrazine with (tbsL)Fe3(thf) yields triiron μ3-imido cluster (tbsL)Fe3(μ3-NH) and ammonia or aniline, respectively. (tbsL)Fe3(μ3-NH) has a similar zero-field 57Fe Mossbauer spectrum compared to previously reported [(tbsL)Fe3(μ3-N)]NBu4, and can be directly synthesized by protonation of the anionic triiron nitrido with lutidinium tetraphenylborate. Deprotonation of the triiron parent imido (tbsL)Fe3(μ3-NH) with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide results in regeneration of the triiron nitrido complex capped with a thf-solvated Li cation [(tbsL)Fe3(μ3-N)]Li(thf)3. The lithium capped nitrido, structurally similar to the pseudo C3-symmetric triiron nitride with a tetrabutylammonium countercation, is rigorously C3-symmetric featuring intracore distances of Fe–Fe 2.4802(5) A, Fe–N(nitride...
Protecting Business Secrets in National and International Commerce

This article argues for elevating trade secrets from stepchild to full member of the intellectual property family. The case for doing so rests on sound social policy, empirical evidence, case law, and anecdotal stories that have attained a great deal of media attention. The article describes how the changing U.S. domestic legal environment for protecting trade secrets is influencing practices within a distinct community of business concerns that owns trade secrets. The author surveyed New Mexico manufacturers and asked them whether they owned trade secrets, how they protect their trade secrets, and whether their trade secrets have ever been stolen. The survey revealed that manufacturers doing business in multiple jurisdictions are more likely to own trade secrets, to protect their trade secrets by having employees sign secrecy agreements and covenants not to compete, and to have had their trade secrets stolen. Nevertheless, these manufacturers rarely resort to the legal system to redress trade secret thef...
Epidermal growth factor inhibits somatostatin-induced apoptosis

Background. The somatostatin analogue octreotide impairs intestinal regeneration and the adaptive response to intestinal resection by inhibition of enterocyte migration and proliferation and increased apoptosis. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates regeneration and adaptation by increasing proliferation and reducing apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of EGF on octreotide-induced enterocyte apoptosis. Methods. Twenty-four rabbits underwent patch enteroplasty in the distal ileum to stimulate the mucosa. There were four study groups: octreotide 250 μg/kg/ day, EGF 40 μg/kg/day, EGF plus octreotide, and control. Normal ileal mucosa adjacent to the patch was evaluated at 7 days for villus height, crypt depth, crypt cell production rate (CCPR), and in situ end labeling of DNA fragmentation. Results. Octreotide alone increased apoptosis compared with controls at the villus tip (40 ± 7% vs 18 ± 7%, P < 0.05), lateral villus (9 ± 2% vs 3 ± 2%, P < 0.05), and crypt (15 ± 3% vs 10 ± 3%, P < 0.05). EGF decreased apoptosis in the crypt (2 ± 1%) and villus (6 ± 1% villus tip and 1 ± 1% lateral villus, P < 0.05) compartments. EGF inhibited octreotide-induced apoptosis in the crypt (5 ± 2%) but not the villus (31 ± 5% villus tip and 6 ± 2% lateral villus, P < 0.05). Mean DNA fragmentation was significantly greater in octreotide-treated animals (P < 0.05). The octreotide-treated animals had reduced crypt depth and villus height but normal CCPR compared with controls. EGF increased CCPR and crypt depth compared with controls. Combining EGF and octreotide resulted in crypt depth and CCPR similar to those of controls but reduced villus height. Conclusions. EGF inhibits octreotide-induced apoptosis. This effect is greater in crypt than in villus enterocytes. Octreotide appears to have both direct and indirect effects on enterocyte apoptosis.
FRET measurements between small numbers of molecules identifies subtle changes in receptor interactions

Overexpression of HER2 alters the cellular behavior of EGF receptor (EGFR) and itself, with great implications on cell fate. To understand the molecular interactions underlying these alterations, we quantified the association between the two receptors by looking at efficiency changes in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a small number of molecules at the membrane of living cells. Human mammary epithelial (HME) cells expressing varying degrees of HER2 were studied, to identify and compare the degree of receptors interactions as a function of HER2 overexpression. A high resolution wide-field laser microscope combined with a high sensitivity cooled CCD camera was used to capture simultaneously donor and acceptor emissions. Alternating between green and red lasers every 80 msec, donor, FRET, and acceptor images were acquired and were used to calculate FRET efficiency. Automated image analysis was developed to create FRET efficiency maps from overlapping donor, acceptor and FRET images, and derive FRET efficiency histograms to quantify receptor-receptor interactions pixel by pixel. This approach enabled us to detect subtle changes in the average distance between EGFR molecules, and between EGFR and HER2. We found pre-existing EGFR homoassociations, and EGFR-HER2 heteroassociations in cells overexpressing HER2, and identified the changes in these interactions with ligand stimulation. These observations demonstrate the power of FRET measurements between small numbers of molecules in identifying subtle changes in molecular interactions in living cell.
Requirement of different mitochondrial targeting sequences of the yeast mitochondrial transcription factor Mtf1p when synthesized in alternative translation systems.

Mitochondrial (mt) translocation of the nuclearly encoded mt transcription factor Mtf1p appears to occur independent of a cleavable presequence, mt receptor, mt membrane potential or ATP [Biswas and Getz (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 45704–45714]. To understand further the import strategy of Mtf1p, we investigated the import of the wild-type and N-terminal-truncated Mtf1p mutants synthesized in two different in vitro translation systems. These Mtf1p derivatives were generated either in the RRL (rabbit reticulocyte lysate) or in the WGE (wheat germ extract) translation system. Under the in vitro import conditions, the RRL-synthesized full-length Mtf1p but not the N-terminal-truncated Mtf1p product was efficiently imported into mitochondria, suggesting that the N-terminal sequence is important for its import. On the other hand, when these Mtf1p products were generated in the WGE system, surprisingly, the N-terminal-truncated products, but not the full-length protein, were effectively translocated into mitochondria. Despite these differences between the translation systems, in both cases, import occurs at a low temperature and has no requirement for a trypsin-sensitive mt receptor, mt membrane potential or ATP hydrolysis. Together, these observations suggest that, in the presence of certain cytoplasmic factors (derived from either RRL or WGE), Mtf1p is capable of using alternative import signals present in different regions of the protein. This appears to be the first example of usage of different targeting sequences for the transport of a single mt protein into the mt matrix.
Six Sigma programs: An implementation model

Abstract Despite the pervasiveness of Six Sigma program implementations, there is increasing concern about implementation failures. One reason many Six Sigma programs fail is because an implementation model on how to effectively guide the implementation of these programs is lacking. Using a successful Six Sigma program in a Network Technology company, the purpose of this research is to develop an effective implementation model which consists of six steps. The first step is to perform strategic analysis driven by the market and the customer. The second step is to establish a high-level, cross-functional team to drive the improvement initiative. The third step is to identify overall improvement tools. The fourth step is to perform high-level process mapping and to prioritize improvement opportunities. The fifth step is to develop a detailed plan for low-level improvement teams, and the sixth step is to implement, document, and revise as needed. Important for both practitioners and academicians, implications of our implementation experience along with directions for future research are provided.
Wear rate model for UHMWPE in total joint applications

The wear of polyethylene cup in hip implants is influenced by a set of primary parameters, which have been reported to lead to loosening of the implant and osteolysis. Mass loss as a result of wear leading to osteolysis may cause dislocation and subsequently revision and/or replacement of the implant. An attempt was made to develop a comprehensive wear rate prediction equation in terms of the implant dimensions, namely femoral head roughness, femoral head diameter, subject body weight and mechanical properties of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The effect of mechanical properties of polyethylene was also introduced so that a more comprehensive equation can be developed.
Determining Surface Activity and Membrane Interactions of Ranaspumin-2 and an Engineered Derivative, Surfactant Resisting Foam Formation

Ranaspumin-2 (Rsn-2) is a surfactant protein identified as one of the major components of tungara frog foam nests which protects fertilized eggs from dehydration, temperature changes, and potential pathogens. Unlike chemical detergents, the protective protein does not disrupt cell membranes making it a strong candidate for agricultural applications, save for its foaming upon agitation which can result in wind resistance and reduced coverage. Surfactant Resisting Foam formation (SRFN) protein was engineered to retain the biological compatibility of Rsn2, ultimately the same surface tension reduction, but contains a more flexible hinge point in the clamshell-like structure which reduces foaming. Both Rsn-2 and SRFN exhibited appreciable surface activity down to sub-μg/ml concentrations without a lag time, measured as surface pressure at the air-buffer interface. Mixing and agitation, to model environmental conditions, has limited effect on the surfactant qualities of Rsn-2 and SRFN. Rsn-2 formed a significant amount of foam that dissipated slowly, but mixing did not affect the resultant surface pressure or equilibration time. For SRFN, a protein of equal size, the main effect of agitation was to accelerate the equilibration time of protein adsorbing to the interface; direct agitation led to little foaming. To confirm that the site-direction mutations in the hinge region of SRFN do not enhance the protein's ability to insert into a lipid membrane, we modeled the outer leaflet of the cell membrane using an egg phosphatidylcholine lipid monolayer at the air-buffer interface and saw no insertion as physiologically relevant pressures.
Becoming a “Greeble” Expert: Exploring Mechanisms for Face Recognition

Sensitivity to configural changes in face processing has been cited as evidence for face-exclusive mechanisms. Alternatively, general mechanisms could be fine-tuned by experience with homogeneous stimuli. We tested sensitivity to configural transformations for novices and experts with nonface stimuli ("Greebles"). Parts of transformed Greebles were identified via forced-choice recognition. Regardless of expertise level, the recognition of parts in the Studied configuration was better than in isolation, suggesting an object advantage. For experts, recognizing Greeble parts in a Transformed configuration was slower than in the Studied configuration, but only at upright. Thus, expertise with visually similar objects, not faces per se, may produce configural sensitivity.
Effect of monovalent cations on the heparin-enhanced antithrombin III/thrombin reaction

Abstract The antithrombin III/thrombin reaction was enhanced by the monovalent cations lithium, sodium and potassium. In the presence of 0.1 M cation, the maximum relative rate enhancement by heparin was 2000-fold with lithium, 1,800-fold with sodium and 1,100-fold with potassium. In the absence of additional cation, heparin enhanced the antithrombin III/thrombin reaction rate 100-fold. The amount of heparin required to maximally enhance the antithrombin III/thrombin reaction rate increased as the concentration of cation was increased. A 10-fold higher concentration of heparin was required in the presence of 0.2 M lithium chloride, while a 100-fold and 150-fold higher concentration of heparin was necessary with 0.2 M sodium chloride and 0.2 M potassium chloride present, respectively. The binding of heparin to antithrombin III was not detectably affected by 0.13 M lithium chloride, suggesting that the heparin-antithrombin III interaction was not involved in the mechanism of action of heparin in this system. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the heparin-antithrombin III/thrombin reaction rate to small increases in cation concentration and suggest that heparin activity assays using this system must be standardized to accomodate the contribution of cations present in the heparin samples being assayed.
Within-day temporal patterns of smoking, withdrawal symptoms, and craving ☆

We examined the temporal relationships between smoking frequency and craving and withdrawal. 351 heavy smokers (≥15 cigarettes per day) used ecological momentary assessment and electronic diaries to track smoking, craving, negative affect, arousal, restlessness, and attention disturbance in real time over 16 days. The waking day was divided into 8 2-h "bins" during which cigarette counts and mean levels of craving and withdrawal were computed. Cross-sectional analyses showed no association between restlessness and smoking, and arousal and smoking, but craving (b=0.65, p<0.01) was positively associated, and negative affect (b=-0.20, p<0.01), and attention disturbance (b=-0.24, p<0.01) were inversely associated with smoking. In prospective lagged analyses, higher craving predicted more subsequent smoking and higher smoking predicted lower craving (p's<0.01). Higher restlessness also predicted more subsequent smoking and higher smoking predicted lower restlessness (p's<0.01). Higher negative affect did not predict later smoking, but more smoking preceded lower negative affect (p<0.01). Neither attention disturbance nor arousal predicted, or were predicted by variations in smoking. In short, smoking exhibits time-lagged, reciprocal relationships with craving and restlessness, and a one-way predictive relationship with negative affect. Temporal patterns of craving and restlessness may aid in the design of smoking cessation interventions.
Solar neutrinos with three-flavor mixings.

The recent{sup 71}Ga solar neutrino observation is combined with the {sup 37}Cl and Kamiokande-II observations in an analysis for neutrino masses and mixings. The allowed parameter region is found for matter enhanced mixings among all three neutrino flavors. Distortions of the solar neutrino spectrum unique to three flavors are possible and may be observed in continuing and next generation experiments.
Water vapor permeability of wheat gluten and soy protein isolate films

Abstract Protein films were produced from wheat gluten and soy protein isolate. The water vapor permeability of the films was evaluated at 5, 15, 25 and 35°C and at 100-50% and 100-70% relative humidity gradients across the films. For all tested temperatures, estimated water vapor permeability constant values were greater at the 100-70% relative humidity gradient than at the 100-50% relative humidity gradient indicating a pressure dependence of the permeability constant. Similar behavior has been documented in the literature for other types of plastic and biopolymer hydrophilic films. Most likely, water sorption by the hydrophilic protein films was higher when the outer film surface was exposed to 70% rather than to 50% relative humidity. Increased sorbed water plasticized protein films facilitating water vapor permeation and yielding greater water vapor permeability constant values. At both tested relative humidity gradients over the studied temperature range, the water vapor permeability constant of the two protein films decreased with increasing temperature. This can also be explained by increases in water sorption and film plasticization, since water sorption by proteins is thermodynamically favored at lower temperatures.
AGU Pacific Northwest Meeting

The 33rd annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Branch of AGU (PNAGU) was held September 4, 1986, at the University of Washington, Seattle. There were several reports on exploration methods utilizing piezoelectric and magnetometer techniques. Most of the other reports emphasized tectonics, seismology, and paleomagnetics in the Pacific Northwest. New evidence was presented that volcanism in Washington has had a longer history than previously reported. The Washington Department of Natural Resources announced work on four revised geologic maps that cover the state of Washington at a scale of 1:250,000. These maps will be published from 1987 to 1992.
The clinical impact of subspecialized radiologist reinterpretation of abdominal imaging studies, with analysis of the types and relative frequency of interpretation discrepancies

Purpose The primary objective of this study was to determine the clinical impact and value of abdominal imaging reinterpretations by subspecialized abdominal imagers.
Effect of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone, Triiodothyronine, and Chicken Growth Hormone on Plasma Concentrations of Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, Growth Hormone, and Growth of Lymphoid Organs and Leukocyte Populations in Immature Male Chickens

One-day-old White Leghorn male chicks were fed different levels of Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) (1 and 5 ppm) or Triiodothyronine (T3) (.1 and 1 ppm) for an 8-wk period. In a second experiment, chicken growth hormone (cGH) (10 micrograms/kg of BW) was injected (iv) into different birds daily for 7 days starting at 7 wk of age. Different groups of birds received both T3 (.1 and 1 ppm) and cGH. Serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), T3, and growth hormone (GH), lymphoid organ weights, total circulating white blood cells (WBC), and differential counts were measured following hormone treatments. It was found that T3, cGH, or a combination of both significantly lowered serum T4 concentrations. Triiodothyronine supplementation at 1 ppm, alone or with cGH significantly increased serum T3 concentrations. Chicken GH with T3 (.1 ppm) significantly increased serum GH concentrations. Thyrotropin releasing hormone supplementation did not affect serum concentrations of either T4, T3, or cGH. Relative bursa weights were greater in chicks that received T3 (1 ppm) or TRH (1 or 5 ppm) but not cGH. Relative spleen weights were enhanced in response to cGH alone or with T3 (1 ppm) but not TRH. Total WBC count was significantly increased in response to T3 (1 ppm). Supplementation of T3 (.1 or 1 ppm), TRH (1 ppm), and the combination of cGH and T3 (1 ppm) significantly increased the percentage of lymphocyte cell population. These results demonstrate the impact of feeding hormones on T3, T4, and cGH concentrations in the serum and suggest the involvement of the above hormones in the growth of lymphoid organs as well as the production of lymphocytes.
Quantifying the energy efficiency of coordinated micro-architectural adaptation for multimedia workloads

Adaptive micro-architectures aim to achieve greater energy efficiency by dynamically allocating computing resources to match the workload performance. The decisions of when to adapt (temporal dimension) and what to adapt (spatial dimension) are taken by a control algorithm based on an analysis of the power/performance tradeoffs in both dimensions. We perform a rigorous analysis to quantify the energy efficiency limits of fine-grained temporal and coordinated spatial adaptation of multiple architectural resources by casting the control algorithm as a constrained optimization problem. Our study indicates that coordinated adaptation can potentially improve energy efficiency by up to 60% as compared to static architectures and by up to 33% over algorithms that adapt resources in isolation. We also analyze synergistic application of coarse and fine grained adaptation and find modest improvements of up to 18% over optimized dynamic voltage/frequency scaling. Finally, we analyze several previous control algorithms to understand the underlying reasons for their inefficiency.
Reduction of CaV channel activities by Ca2+-CaM: inactivation or deactivation?

Upon opening, many ion channels spontaneously close by inactivation processes. As a form of negative feedback regulation, inactivation of ion channels helps to define a variety of physiological functions. The opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels generates and maintains action potentials and
Continuous phase mass transfer during formation of drops from jets

This study enables the extension of a recent design procedure for perforated plate extraction columns to include operation under jetting conditions. Correlations of experimental data are given for jet length, jet contraction, drop size, and mass transfer rates in continuous phase controlled liquid-liquid systems. Systems exhibiting very low mass transfer rates were used, and this gave significantly different results from those obtained earlier with moderate rates of mass transfer.
Purification and characterization of FMRFamidelike immunoreactive substances from the lobster nervous system: Isolation and sequence analysis of two closely related peptides

In the preceding paper (Kobierski et al: J. Comp. Neurol. 266:1–15, '87) FMRFamidelike immunoreactivity (FLI) was localized to specific cells and processes in the nervous system of the lobster Homarus americanus. In an effort to establish a role for this material we have purified and characterized a variety of immunoreactive peptides that can be extracted from the secretory pericardial organs. By using gel-filtration chromatography and three different HPLC systems, it has been established that little or no authentic FMRFamide is present. Of the major immunoreactive components two peptides were purified in sufficient quantity for microsequence analysis and have been tentatively identified as the octapeptides Ser-Asp-Arg-Asn-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide (FLI 3) and Thr-Asn-Arg-Asn-Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe-amide (FLI 4). Both of these are novel neuropeptides with some sequence homology to the previously described FMRFamide family. The pericardial organs release FLI when depolarized with 100 mM K+ in the presence of calcium. Between 75 and 80% of this release is accounted for by FLI 3 and FLI 4. One of these peptides (FLI 4) has been synthesized and shown to cochromatograph with the endogenous immunoreactive material. Preliminary studies show that this peptide can act as a modulator of exoskeletal and cardiac neuromuscular junctions.
Focusing of synthetic aperture ultra wideband data

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) focusing problem is considered, with special attention given to focusing an area in the near-field of the synthetic aperture over a decade or more of bandwidth in a manner that preserves target resonance characteristics. An approximation that reduces the computational load is shown. An error analysis of the approximation shows quantitatively what conditions are required to guarantee that the depth of focus is adequate to preserve long-duration target resonance effects. >
Oral alkylating agents for breast cancer therapy.

Oral cyclophosphamide is well tolerated and effective. Published data support its use as part of adjuvant and metastatic breast cancer treatment regimens. Cyclophosphamide has generally been administered at a higher dose intensity when given orally compared with intravenous infusion. However, there is currently no evidence that oral cyclophosphamide is either more toxic or more or less effective than an equivalent dose of intravenous cyclophosphamide. There is evidence in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings that classical oral cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-fluorouracil (CMF) is more effective than intravenous CMF, possibly because of the greater dose intensity of classical CMF. Prolonged administration of oral cyclophosphamide up to high cumulative doses is associated with an elevated risk of a secondary leukaemia. The rates of chemotherapy-related amenorrhoea with oral cyclophosphamide are directly related to the total dose of cyclophosphamide administered and the patient’s age. With the growing availability of other oral cytotoxic agents with demonstrated effectiveness in breast cancer, it is likely that oral cyclophosphamide will be incorporated once again into regimens for both metastatic and adjuvant treatment.
Scourge of Racism: Genocide in Rwanda

One of the major social problems of the 21st century is the problem of the color line. Racism is any activity by individuals, groups, institutions, or cultures that treats human beings unjustly because of color, physical features, and ethnicity and rationalizes that treatment by attributing to them undesirable biological, psychological, social, or cultural characteristics. Rwanda is no exception to the effects of racism. More than 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the government-directed ethnic cleansing of Tutsis and Hutus during 1994. It is considered this century's best organized genocide. New plans and visions for peace and justice must include a psychocultural segment for social therapy if the cycle of violence is to be broken in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.
Knowledge-based fault localization in debugging

Fault localization in program debugging is the process of identifying program statements which cause anomalous behavior. We have developed a prototype, knowledge-based model of the fault localization process. Novel features of the model include the integration of prototypic and causal reasoning about faults and a recognition-based mechanism for program abstraction. An explicit division of knowledge from the applications, programming, and language domains facilitate model tuning within as well as across applications domains. We describe model structure and performance for a class of faults associated with master file update programs.
Control of electromagnetic scattering by antenna impedance loading

Abstract : The application of impedance loading techniques for the reduction of backscatter from radar targets were studied. The hybrid methods which combine the GTD and the moment method were used to analyze the backscattering from various geometries such as impedance loaded infinite wedge and a two-dimensional wing model. The effect of both the trailing and the leading edge was considered by using a two-dimensional wing model. The edge diffraction source can be considerably reduced over a 3:1 frequency band for the two-dimensional case. The square plate with a loaded slot was analyzed by a wire grid model. The backscatter reduction of the square plate can be achieved at least over a 2:1 frequency band.