cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distal hypospadias repair in infants without a postoperative stent

To review our experience with infants undergoing distal hypospadias repair without a postoperative stent to determine if an unacceptable complication rate might justify its use. Children <1 year of age who underwent distal hypospadias repair by a single surgeon were identified through a prospectively maintained database. The use of a postoperative urethral stent was recorded for each case. Demographics, meatus position, operative technique and complications were also recorded. Patients older than 1 year or with hypospadias proximal to a subcoronal position were excluded. Eighty-nine patients without a stent were identified in addition to 21 patients who had a stent for a minimum of 3 days. At 3 months follow-up, 4/89 (4.49 %) patients in the stentless group required circumcision revision. 1 patient experienced urinary retention. 1/21 (4.76 %) patients with a postoperative stent required reoperation for meatal stenosis. The complication rate for infants undergoing distal hypospadias repair is low, does not appear to be significantly increased by forgoing a postoperative urethral stent. Avoiding a stent likely reduces a variety of associated adverse events and needs for short-term follow-up.
The corporate report: A discussion

To whom and for what are organizations accountable? Every student of society has pondered the question and every thoughtful accountant has considered the issue in both philosophical and pragmatic terms. Increasingly, the problem emerges as an area of concern as sociological values and norms of members of modern complex society tend to be in terms of what is best for the iwhole society as an entity rather than in terms of what is best for the individual in society. Society as a whole dominates and individual actions are good or bad depending upon the extent to which they contribute to the social entity. As long as the philosophy prevailed that individuals were responsible for themselves and that the state existed only to assure fair conduct among members of society, the motion prevailed that a business enterprise was accountable only to those individuals who created it or owned it. In such a sociological structure, the business organization was accountable to its shareholders and accounting reports were so directed. But sociological values have changed and the view prevails that a business organization or any organization exists only by the consent of the total society in which it operates. Shareholders, employees, customers, and suppliers are viewed as a collection of people gathered together to pursue a common goal which collectively they can better attain than acting alone. Overriding this collective notion of an organization is the total society point of view which holds that no collective group may be permitted to pursue their common goal if in doing so, the total society is polluted or harmed in some way. This then is the problem faced by the accounting profession: 1. Should accounting reports be developed in accordance with the philosophy that an organization is accountable only to its investorsA 2. Should accounting reports be developed in accordance with the philosophy that an organization is a group of people associating together in order to attain objectives better than they could acting alone? The implication is that accounting reports should be directed to investors, employees, suppliers, and customers. 3. Should accounting reports be developed in accordance with the philosophy that an organization is merely a sub-entity but an integral part of the total society entity. Under this philosophy, accounting disclosures should be directed to all members of society as a public report on the contribution of the organization to total society.
MMPI profiles in anorexia nervosa patients with and without major depression

Abstract Anorexia nervosa patients with (AN-RDC+) and without (AN-RDC-) a current episode of nonbipolar major depression (MDD) differed with respect to their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles. Mean MMPI scores in AN-RDC+ significantly differed from AN-RDC- patients in all but two MMPI scales. AN-RDC+ patients had a significantly higher number of abnormal (T>70) MMPI scales per subject and significantly more subjects with ⩾3 abnormal scales compared with AN-RDC- patients. These MMPI data suggest that the presence or absence of MDD in anorectic patients may distinguish meaningful subtypes and provide further support for the validity of the stratification of anorectic patients into those with and without nonbipolar MDD.
A phase II trial of tetrathiomolybdate after surgery for malignant mesothelioma: final results.

Background Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is an oral copper-depleting agent that has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, and angiogenesis is a predictor of poor prognosis in malignant pleural mesothelioma. We hypothesized that cytoreduction of malignant pleural mesothelioma followed by TM will delay time to progression. Methods Between November 2000 and August 2003, 30 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma received postoperative TM beginning 4 to 6 weeks after surgery at a dose adjusted to keep ceruloplasmin between 5 and 15 mg/dL). Time to progression was compared with the 55 stage I and II patients and 109 stage III patients previously treated with cytoreduction by one of us (H.P.). Results The 30 patients (25 men, 5 women; 13 stage I and II, 17 stage III), median age 67 years (range, 49–81 years), remained on TM a median of 14.9 months (range, 2 to 57 months). All patients reached target ceruloplasmin levels at a mean of 34 ± 2 days (95% confidence interval, 30 to 39 days), and vascular endothelial growth factor levels at baseline (ceruloplasmin = 45.2 ± 2 mg/dL) decreased from 2,086 ± 390 pg/mL to 1,250 ± 712 pg/mL ( p p p = 0.046 versus TM). No differences in time to progression for the stage III TM patents from surgery were seen (7 months). Conclusions Tetrathiomolybdate has antiangiogenic effects in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients after resection of gross disease, and exhibits minimal toxicity and comparable efficacy to previous multimodality trials. Tetrathiomolybdate should be evaluated for efficacy in combination with standard malignant pleural mesothelioma regimens, as well as for postsurgical maintenance therapy.
Renin-aldosterone system can respond to furosemide in patients with hyperkalemic hyporeninism☆

Thirty-four patients (65.3+/-3.3 years of age, mean+/-SEM) with hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L) had measurement of their renin-aldosterone system. Nineteen patients (56%) had plasma renin activity (PRA) >1.5 ng/mL/h, which was not low, while 15 (44%) had PRA <1.5. Twelve of the 15 hyporeninemic hyperkalemic patients were studied to determine whether their renin-aldosterone system responded to 2 weeks of furosemide, 20 mg daily. Four were nonresponders: PRA averaged 0.3+/-0.1 ng/mL/h, and it did not increase with furosemide or respond to captopril before or after furosemide. Eight patients were responders: PRA averaged 0.6+/-0.2 ng/mL/h and increased with furosemide to 5.5+/-3.4 ng/mL/h. Captopril failed to increase PRA before furosemide, but PRA increased to 15.3+/-8.4 ng/mL/h after furosemide. Plasma aldosterone was low in both nonresponders and responders (3.5+/-1.2 ng/dL vs 5.8+/-2.5 ng/dL) and did not increase significantly with furosemide (4.3+/-1.7 ng/dL vs 8.7+/-2.5 ng/dL). Serum potassium did not fall and therefore did not limit the rise in aldosterone. Renin responders had greater body weight, were predominantly female (6/8 vs 2/4) and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (7/8 vs 0/4). Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) fell with furosemide in 8 of 8 responders and in 1 of the 2 nonresponders in whom it was measured. Neither group had suppressed plasma prorenin levels, indicating no suppression of renin gene expression. These results indicate that many hyperkalemic patients do not have suppressed PRA. Further, a majority of patients with suppressed PRA have high levels of ANP and can respond to diuretic therapy with a rise in PRA and a fall in ANP, suggesting physiologic suppression of the renin system by volume expansion. A minority of hyperkalemic patients with suppressed PRA had PRA that did not increase under these study conditions.
Dynamic Braking of Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors [includes discussion]

THE APPLICATION OF direct current to the stator of a 3-phase induction motor long has been recognized as a means of producing a retarding torque on the moving rotor. Methods have been given for evaluating the average braking torque, but a simple means for determining the complete speed torque curve during braking will be of value for the control engineer.
Studies on the biosynthesis of iodotyrosines. Reduced pyridine nucleotide peroxidation by a thyroidal-iodinating enzyme.

Abstract A soluble iodide peroxidase obtained from sheep-thyroid tissue serves as a reduced pyridine nucleotide peroxidase. The peroxidation of reduced pyridine nucleotide depends on the presence of iodide in the reaction mixture. Iodide appears to protect the enzyme from inactivation during the peroxidation of the reduced pyridine nucleotide. The reduced pyridine nucleotide is, conversely, a competitive inhibitor of iodide in the iodination of soluble tyrosine mediated by the enzyme. Reduced pyridine nucleotide stimulates formation of protein-bound iodine in thyroid-cell particulate enzyme systems, but, as noted above, competitively inhibits iodination of soluble tyrosine in the soluble enzyme system. This alteration in the action of TPNH is believed due to fragmentation of the iodinating system during solubilization. The enzymes in the particles serving to generate hydrogen peroxide from TPNH may have been removed, leaving only the iodide-peroxidase enzyme in the soluble preparation.
Review article Present-day studies on cereals protein nature alpha-amylase inhibitors

The present state of research on alpha-amylase inhibitors in cereals is reviewed. The detection and assay of alpha-amylase inhibitors, characterization and some properties of multiple forms, as well as their specificities, biochemical, physiological and nutritional significance are discussed. However insufficient data are available to accurately discuss their implication in food and feed technology. Investigators are initiating further-studies to explain these problems.
Structure and magnetic ordering of superconducting GdBa2(Cu0.94Fe0.06)3O7 by Mössbauer spectroscopy

A coexistence of magnetic ordering and superconductivity has been found in GdBa2(Cu0.94Fe0.06)3O7 at 4.2 K. The magnetic ordering is seen in the Fe moments using Mossbauer spectroscopy. The small Fe percentage was chosen to enable us to probe the crystalline and magnetic environment of an isolated Fe ion. Possible mechanisms responsible for the establishment of the magnetic order and its nature are discussed.
YcaO domains use ATP to activate amide backbones during peptide cyclodehydrations

Thiazole/oxazole-modified microcins (TOMMs) encompass a recently defined class of ribosomally synthesized natural products with a diverse set of biological activities. Although TOMM biosynthesis has been investigated for over a decade, the mechanism of heterocycle formation by the synthetase enzymes remains poorly understood. Using substrate analogs and isotopic labeling, we demonstrate that ATP is used to directly phosphorylate the peptide amide backbone during TOMM heterocycle formation. Moreover, we present what is to our knowledge the first experimental evidence that the D-protein component of the heterocycle-forming synthetase (YcaO/domain of unknown function 181 family member), formerly annotated as a docking protein involved in complex formation and regulation, is able to perform the ATP-dependent cyclodehydration reaction in the absence of the other TOMM biosynthetic proteins. Together, these data reveal the role of ATP in the biosynthesis of azole and azoline heterocycles in ribosomal natural products and prompt a reclassification of the enzymes involved in their installation.
PULSATILE FLOW PHANTOM FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGE-GUIDED HIFU TREATMENT OF VASCULAR INJURIES

Abstract A pulsatile flow phantom was developed for studies of ultrasound image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) application in transcutaneous hemostasis of injured blood vessels. The flow phantom consisted of a pulsatile pump system with instrumented excised porcine carotid artery, which was imbedded in a transparent agarose gel to model structural configuration of in vivo tissues. Heparinized porcine blood was circulated through the phantom. The artery was injured using an 18-gauge needle to model a penetrating injury in human peripheral vasculature. A HIFU transducer with the diameter of 7 cm, focal length of 6.3 cm and frequency of 3.4 MHz was used to seal the puncture. Ultrasound imaging was used to localize and target the puncture site and to monitor the HIFU treatment. Triphasic blood flows present in the human arteries were reproduced, with flow rates of 50 to 500 mL/min, pulse rates of 62 to 138 beats/min and peak pressures of 100 to 250 mm Hg. The penetrating injury of an artery was mimicked successfully in the flow phantom setting and was easily visualized both optically through the transparent gel and with power Doppler ultrasound imaging. Hemostasis was achieved in 55 ± 31 s (n = 9) of HIFU application. Histologic observations showed that a HIFU-sealed puncture was filled with clotted blood and covered with a fibrin cap. The pulsatile flow phantom provides a controlled and repeatable environment for studies of transcutaneous image-guided HIFU application in hemostasis of a variety of blood vessel injuries. (E-mail: adasi@u.washington.edu )
Estimating the impact of large design changes on field problems

CAD systems today are feature-based in that they represent geometry via a collection of features, and associated feature parameters. During the design process, feature parameters are optimized to meet various design objectives including functionality, manufacturability, aesthetics, etc. This paper focuses on predicting the impact of parametric feature changes on quantities of interest, such as average stress within a given region, etc. When the parametric change is sufficiently small, one can rely on classic shape sensitivity and reanalysis methods to rapidly predict the desired quantity of interest. However, when the parametric changes are large, both methods are unreliable.In this paper, we propose an alternate methodology for predicting the impact of large parametric feature changes on field problems, and thereby opening fundamentally new avenues for design exploration and parametric optimization. The proposed methodology is based on the novel concept of feature sensitivity, a generalization of topological sensitivity. Topological sensitivity captures the first-order change in quantities of interest when a small spherical hole is created within an existing geometry. This is generalized here to an arbitrary collection of internal or boundary features. Subsequently, we demonstrate its application to large parametric feature changes. The methodology is illustrated via numerical experiments involving a 2-D scalar field problem.
Perturbation response in feedforward networks

Abstract Feedforward neural networks with continuous-valued activation functions have recently emerged as a powerful paradigm for modeling nonlinear systems. Several classes of such networks have been proved to possess universal approximation capabilities. Prominent among the advantages claimed for such networks are robustness and distributedness of processing and representation. However, there has been little direct research on either issue, particularly the former, and these characteristics of neural networks have been accepted mostly on faith, or on the basis of heuristic arguments. In this paper, we attempt to construct a framework within which these very important issues can be addressed in a coherent and tractable manner. The focus of the paper is on a particularly simple, but instructive, problem: to predict the effect of perturbations in internal neuron outputs on the performance of the network as a whole. This is directly useful in three ways: 1) it gives information about the network's tolerance of internal perturbations; 2) it can be used as a criterion for selecting among multiple network solutions to a given modeling problem; and 3) it provides a framework for relating the performance of a network to the performance of its components. Of these, the third is especially attractive because it can be used as the basis for a theory of distributed representation and processing in feedforward networks.
Combination of machine scores for automatic grading of pronunciation quality

This work is part of an effort aimed at developing computer-based systems for language instruction; we address the task of grading the pronunciation quality of the speech of a student of a foreign language. The automatic grading system uses SRI's DecipherTM continuous speech recognition system to generate phonetic segmentations. Based on these segmentations and probabilistic models we produce different pronunciation scores for individual or groups of sentences that can be used as predictors of the pronunciation quality. Different types of these machine scores can be combined to obtain a better prediction of the overall pronunciation quality. In this paper we review some of the best-performing machine scores and discuss the application of several methods based on linear and nonlinear mapping and combination of individual machine scores to predict the pronunciation quality grade that a human expert would have given. We evaluate these methods in a database that consists of pronunciation-quality-graded speech from American students speaking French. With predictors based on spectral match and on durational characteristics, we find that the combination of scores improved the prediction of the human grades and that nonlinear mapping and combination methods performed better than linear ones. Characteristics of the different nonlinear methods studied are discussed.
An Automated and Robust Framework for Quantification of Muscle and Fat in the Thigh

The tissue quantification in the thigh (e.g. cross-sectional areas of adipose tissue and muscle) is important, since their quantities reflect adverse metabolic effects and muscle function. Traditional manual analysis is time-consuming and operator-dependent, especially in the case of multi-slices or 3D datasets. In clinical trials, there are a large amount of datasets acquired from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray computed tomography (CT) that requires automatic labeling of individual tissues. Since most segmentation algorithms are not suited for different modalities, we present an automatic and robust framework for the quantitative assessment of muscle and fat tissues on 3D MR or CT data. In our framework, a variational Bayesian Gaussian mixture model is used to cluster regions of interest in images into adipose tissues (fat and marrow), muscle, bone and background. The identification of each cluster is based on marrow detection. Furthermore, we use a combination of parametric and geodesic active contour models to distinguish different adipose tissues in 3D images. To validate our proposed framework, we have conducted preliminary experiments on five volumetric mid-thigh axial datasets of MR and CT images from clinical trials.
Secretory phospholipase A2 responsive liposomes

ABSTRACT Secretory phospholipase A 2 (sPLA 2 ) expression is increased in several cancers and has been shown to trigger release from some lipid carriers. This study used electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and release of 6‐carboxyfluorescein (6‐CF) to determine the effects of sPLA 2 on various liposome formulations. Different combinations of zwitterionic [1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine, 1,2‐distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine, and 1,2‐ distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)] and anionic [1,2‐distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidic acid, 1,2‐distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylglycerol (DSPG), 1,2‐distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylserine, and 1,2‐distearoyl‐ sn ‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine– N ‐poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 (DSPE–PEG)] phospholipids were examined. DSPG and DSPE were most susceptible to sPLA 2 ‐mediated degradation compared with other phospholipids. Increased 6‐CF release was observed after inclusion of 10 mol % DSPE and anionic lipids into different liposome formulations. Group IIa sPLA 2 ‐mediated 6‐CF release was less than Group III and relatively insensitive to cholesterol (Chol), whereas Chol reduced sPLA 2 ‐mediated release. Inclusion of DSPE–PEG increased sPLA 2 ‐mediated 6‐CF release, whereas serum reduced lipid degradation and 6‐CF release significantly. These data demonstrate that ESI‐MS and 6‐CF release were useful in determining the selectivity of sPLA 2 and release from liposomes, that differences in the activity of different sPLA 2 isoforms exist, and that DSPE–PEG enhanced sPLA 2 ‐mediated release of liposomal constituents. These findings will aid in the selection of lipids and optimization of the kinetics of drug release for the treatment of cancers and diseases of inflammation in which sPLA 2 expression is increased. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100:3146–3159, 2011
Regulation of Hematopoiesis by Microvascular Endothelium

The bone marrow microenvironment is a complex three dimensional structure where hematopoietic stem cells proliferate, mature, migrate into the sinusoidal space, and enter the circulation in an exquisitely regulated fashion. Stromal cells within the BM microenvironment provide a suitable environment for self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Within the hematopoietic microenvironment, whether it is embryonic yolk sac, fetal liver, or adult bone marrow, microvascular endothelium not only acts as a gatekeeper controlling the trafficking and homing of hematopoietic progenitors, but also provides cellular contact and secretes cytokines that allows for the preservation of the steady state hematopoiesis. Recently, homogenous monolayers of bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC) have been isolated and cultivated in tissue culture. Long-term coculture studies have shown that BMEC monolayers are unique type of endothelium and can support long-term proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells particularly megakaryocytic and myeloid progenitor cells by constitutive elaboration of lineage-specific cytokines such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, Kit-ligand, IL6, FLK-2 ligand, and leukemia inhibitory factor. Direct cellular contact between hematopoietic progenitor cells and BMEC monolayers through specific adhesion molecules including beta1, beta2 integrins and selectins play a critical role in trafficking and possibly proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. Dysfunction of microvascular endothelial cells within the hematopoietic microenvironment may result in stem cell disorders and progression to aplastic anemias, and contribute to graft failure during bone marrow transplantation. Further studies on the role of microvascular endothelium in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell homing and proliferation may enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of stem cell and leukemic disorders.
Productive Engagement and Late Life Physical and Mental Health Findings from a Nationally Representative Panel Study

This study examines the association between engagement in productive roles and the physical and mental health of adults aged 60 and over. We present secondary analyses of data from three waves of t...
The Gene Controlling the Quantitative Trait Locus EPITHIOSPECIFIER MODIFIER1 Alters Glucosinolate Hydrolysis and Insect Resistance in Arabidopsis

Glucosinolates are sulfur-rich plant secondary metabolites whose breakdown products have a wide range of biological activities in plant–herbivore and plant–pathogen interactions and anticarcinogenic properties. In Arabidopsis thaliana , hydrolysis by the enzyme, myrosinase, produces bioactive nitriles, epithionitriles, or isothiocyanates depending upon the plant9s genotype and the glucosinolate9s structure. A major determinant of this structural specificity is the epithiospecifier locus ( ESP ), whose protein causes the formation of epithionitriles and nitriles. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 3 epistatically affects nitrile formation in combination with ESP ; this QTL has been termed EPITHIOSPECIFIER MODIFIER1 ( ESM1 ). We identified a myrosinase-associated protein as the ESM1 QTL in Arabidopsis using map-based cloning with recombinant inbred lines, natural variation transcriptomic analysis, and metabolic profiling. In planta and in vitro analyses with natural ESM1 alleles, ESM1 knockouts, and overexpression lines show that ESM1 represses nitrile formation and favors isothiocyanate production. The glucosinolate hydrolysis profile change influenced by ESM1 is associated with the ability to deter herbivory by Trichoplusia ni . This gene could provide unique approaches toward improving human nutrition.
Extracellular microbial polysaccharides: Kinetics of Pseudomonas sp., Azotobacter vinelandii, and Aureobasidium pullulans batch fermentations

The generality of a fermentation kinetic model (developed earlier for xanthan gum production by Xanthamonas campestris) is tested by application to several other polysaccharide-producing fermentations. With literature batch data for exopolysac-charides from Azotobacter vinelandii, Pseudomonas sp., and Aureobasidium pullulans, the model is shown to provide a reasonable description for biomass (X), product (polysaccharide, P), and substrate (S) evolution in time. Thus a general kinetic model for microbial fermentations that produce exopolysaccharides is established.
An implementation of the SSF scalable simulation framework on the Cray MTA

Large-scale parallel discrete event simulations of massive networks, such as the Internet, are "Grand Challenge" problems: packet level simulation of even a small fraction of the Internet would consume the resources of the most powerful computers available. We reimplement the SSF scalable simulation framework so we can run large-scale network simulations originally written for DaSSF. Our implementation, CraySSF, is designed for the Cray-MTA, a multithreaded supercomputer architecture developed specifically to address large-scale computations of the kind that are not easily distributed. We describe the architecture, implementation issues, and preliminary performance results on a variety of (stock) serial and parallel architectures.
WTH3, a new member of the Rab6 gene family, and multidrug resistance.

Abstract The WTH3 gene was obtained by a DNA fragment isolated by the methylation-sensitive representational difference analysis technique due to its hypermethylation in the human multidrug resistant (MDR) breast cancer cell line MCF7/AdrR. The WTH3 gene product is 89% and 91% identical to the human Rab6 and Rab6c proteins, but possesses an elongated C-terminal region which contains 46 extra amino acids. Nevertheless, we consider the WTH3 gene a new member of the Rab6 gene family. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction results showed that WTH3 was 15 and 4 times downregulated in MCF7/AdrR and MES-SA/Dx5, a human MDR uterine sarcoma cell line, as compared to their non-MDR parental cell lines. Permanent expression of the WTH3 transgene in MDR cell lines increased to varying degrees their sensitivity to several anticancer drugs, which included doxorubicin, taxol, vinblastine, vincristine, and etoposide, as compared to the control sublines transfected with the empty vector. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscope experiments suggest that the WTH3 transgene stimulated the host’s uptake and retention of DOX. Our results imply that the WTH3 gene plays a role(s) in MDR phenotype development in vitro.
Fibrinogen: a predictor of stroke and marker of atherosclerosis

See doi:10.1016/S1095-668X(02)00467-0for the article to which this editorial refers. Fibrinogen was demonstrated, more than 40 years ago, to be elevated among patients with acute thrombosis. The first prospective study to show an association between fibrinogen levels and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk was the Gothenburg Heart Study from Sweden in 1984.1 In the Northwick Park Heart Study2 from the UK, fibrinogen and factor VII appeared to be as effective as total cholesterol in predicting future risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In the European Concerted Action on Thrombosis and Disabilities Angina Pectoris Study,3 higher levels of fibrinogen predicted subsequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) while lower levels, despite elevated cholesterol levels, were associated with lower risks of ACS. It remains unclear, however, whether elevated fibrinogen levels are a cause or consequence of atherosclerosis.4 The use of non-invasive methods to predict …
Minimum distance of mobile communication towers from AM broadcast antennas

Present FCC rules are far too stringent on the placement of mobile communication towers (CT) in the vicinity of AM broadcasting antennas. This paper shows that much smaller separation distances can be used for the CT with the help of numerical simulation.
Regulation of immune responses by extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are small membrane vesicles derived from multivesicular bodies or from the plasma membrane. Most, if not all, cell types release extracellular vesicles, which then enter the bodily fluids. These vesicles contain a subset of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that are derived from the parent cell. It is thought that extracellular vesicles have important roles in intercellular communication, both locally and systemically, as they transfer their contents, including proteins, lipids and RNAs, between cells. Extracellular vesicles are involved in numerous physiological processes, and vesicles from both non-immune and immune cells have important roles in immune regulation. Moreover, extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics are being developed and clinically tested for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancer. Given the tremendous therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles, this Review focuses on their role in modulating immune responses, as well as their potential therapeutic applications.
ISRO: A scale to measure sex-role orientation

Sex-role research has been hampered by a lack of valid and reliable research tools to measure the construct being studied. This article describes the development of a research scale (ISRO) to measure women's sex-role orientation. This 16-item questionnaire has been shown to be internally consistent and to have fairly high temporal stability over 30 days. The high sensitivity (96.2%) and specificity (95.5%) suggest that it differentiates feminist from traditional women. Three factors assess attitudinal domains of conflict between family responsibilities and having a career; male/female division of household responsibilities; and women's work roles outside the home. Education appears to be the strongest predictor of ISRO scores.
Review: specific combinations of symptoms effectively rule in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection based on history alone.

(2002) JAMA 287, 2701; Bent S, Nallamothu BK, Simel DL, et al. . Does this woman have an acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection? . May 22–29; . : . –10. . [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] QUESTION: Are history taking and physical examination accurate and precise for diagnosis of acute urinary tract infection (UTI) in women? English language studies were identified by searching Medline (1966 to September 2001); contacting experts in the field; and by reviewing bibliographies, core articles, and 3 commonly used textbooks. Studies were selected if they contained original data on the accuracy or precision of history taking or physical examination for diagnosing acute uncomplicated UTI in women. Studies were excluded if they evaluated infants, children or adolescents, pregnant women, nursing home patients, or if there were insufficient data to calculate likelihood ratios (LRs). Data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers on methodological quality and patient characteristics. Published raw data were used to calculate summary LRs using a random effects model. 9 studies met the selection criteria. 8 studies examined the accuracy of … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.stitle%253DJAMA%26rft.issn%253D0002-9955%26rft.aulast%253DBent%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%26rft.volume%253D287%26rft.issue%253D20%26rft.spage%253D2701%26rft.epage%253D2710%26rft.atitle%253DDoes%2BThis%2BWoman%2BHave%2Ban%2BAcute%2BUncomplicated%2BUrinary%2BTract%2BInfection%253F%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.287.20.2701%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F12020306%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.287.20.2701&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=12020306&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F5%2F4%2F119.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000175732400030&link_type=ISI
Review of the Refeeding Syndrome

Refeeding syndrome describes a constellation of metabolic disturbances that occur as a result of reinstitution of nutrition to patients who are starved or severely malnourished. Patients can develop fluid and electrolyte disorders, especially hypophosphatemia, along with neurologic, pulmonary, cardiac, neuromuscular, and hematologic complications. We reviewed literature on refeeding syndrome and the associated electrolyte abnormalities, fluid disturbances, and associated complications. In addition to assessing scientific literature, we also considered clinical experience and judgment in developing recommendations for prevention and treatment of refeeding syndrome. The most important steps are to identify patients at risk for developing refeeding syndrome, institute nutrition support cautiously, and correct and supplement electrolyte and vitamin deficiencies to avoid refeeding syndrome. We provide suggestions for the prevention of refeeding syndrome and suggestions for treatment of electrolyte disturbances...
Attitudes toward the elderly and toward the mentally ill.

attitude toward the elderly and thc mentally ill, college undergraduates (183 males, 146 females) were administered Kogan's Attitudes roward Old People Scale, Cohen and Struening's Opinions about Mental Illness Scale, and an experimental scale measuring endorsement of deteriorative aspects of mental illness. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis indicated that the Authoritarianism faaor, relative to the other faaors and the deterioration scale, accounted for the overwhelmingly greater proportion of variance in Old People scores. Analyses of covariance showed that females scored higher on the Old People Scale and Mental Hygiene Ideology factor and lower on Authoritarianism. Inasmuch as the elderly and the mentally ill both appear to be viewed as negatively evaluated outgroups (Bennett & Eckman, 1973, pp. 575-597; Rabkin, 1972), attitudes toward these groups might be assumed to share certain underlying components that would predict a similarity of response to both. On the other hand, McTavish ( 197 1 ) has reviewed evidence for an attitudinal bias against old people on the part of mental health professionals, suggesting that a positive attitude toward the mentally ill may not necessarily predict a positive orientation toward the elderly. The significance of the problem, not only for theoretical understanding of attitudes toward outgroups but for the practical implications of attracting mental health personnel into work with elderly clients, warrants further study of similarities and dissimilarities in attitude toward these two groups. In his work on attitudes toward old people, Kogan ( 1961 ) found a degree of association between mental illness and old age, although his data suggested chat aging is more likely to be associated with a state of physical disability chnn with mental illness. Kogan concluded that no consistent relationship was obtained between F Scale responses of authoritarianism and attitudes toward old people after considering the effects of response set. He did find, however, that unfavorable attitudes toward old people were associated with feelings of anomie and with negative orientations toward the physically disabled and ethnic minorities. Nurturance, in turn, was correlated with a positive disposition toward the elderly. Using the semantic differential technique, Eisdorfer and Altrocchi ( 1961) found that undergraduate students differentiated old people from the mentally ill, although there were similarities in certain attitudinal components toward both coacepts when factors of Evaluation, Potency, Activity, and Understandability were studied. The present study sought to explore the predictiveness of a favorable/unfavorable attitude toward old people from multidimensional ottitudinal re
Single-Period Multiproduct Inventory Models with Substitution

We study a single period multiproduct inventory problem with substitution and proportional costs and revenues. We consider N products and N demand classes with full downward substitution, i.e., excess demand for class i can be satisfied using product j for i ≥ j. We first discuss a two-stage profit maximization formulation for the multiproduct substitution problem. We show that a greedy allocation policy is optimal. We use this to write the expected profits and its first partials explicitly. This in turn enables us to prove additional properties of the profit function and several interesting properties of the optimal solution. In a limited computational study using two products, we illustrate the benefits of solving for the optimal quantities when substitution is considered at the ordering stage over similar computations without considering substitution while ordering. Specifically, we show that the benefits are higher with high demand variability, low substitution cost, low profit margins (or low price to cost ratio), high salvage values, and similarity of products in terms of prices and costs.
An experimental analysis of harmful algae–zooplankton interactions and the ultimate defense

We examined effects of the invasive, toxigenic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum on grazing rates, feeding behaviors, and life-history characteristics of clonal lineages of three daphniid zooplankton species. Grazing experiments revealed similar clearance rates for P. parvum and a common green alga. Behavioral observations revealed no significant effects of P. parvum on daphniid feeding behaviors after 30 min, but major declines in appendage beat rates after 1 h. Chronic exposure (10 d) to P. parvum resulted in severe reductions in daphniid growth rates, age at first reproduction, fecundity, and survivorship at densities as low as 7750 cells mL21. Thus, in addition to direct fish mortality during P. parvum blooms of 50,000–200,000 cells mL21, the entire food web of an invaded system may be subjected to potentially severe negative consequences even at nonbloom densities of P. parvum.
Forcehttps: protecting high-security web sites from network attacks

As wireless networks proliferate, web browsers operate in an increasingly hostile network environment. The HTTPS protocol has the potential to protect web users from network attackers, but real-world deployments must cope with misconfigured servers, causing imperfect web sites and users to compromise browsing sessions inadvertently. ForceHTTPS is a simple browser security mechanism that web sites or users can use to opt in to stricter error processing, improving the security of HTTPS by preventing network attacks that leverage the browser's lax error processing. By augmenting the browser with a database of custom URL rewrite rules, ForceHTTPS allows sophisticated users to transparently retrofit security onto some insecure sites that support HTTPS. We provide a prototype implementation of ForceHTTPS as a Firefox browser extension.
TDAT-time domain analysis tool for EEG analysis

An interactive design and analysis tool for displaying and quantifying multiple channels of data is presented. The system allows one to visualize multiple data channels easily while simultaneously observing the effects of filters on the data and to evaluate signal detection algorithms. The software is designed for a workstation environment; it will find application in a variety of applications where one needs to visualize multiple data channels simultaneously. This time-domain analysis tool (TDAT) is used for the design and evaluation of filters and detection algorithms for electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms, and serves as a prototype of a paperless system to be used by electroencephalographers. The general software structure of the system is described, and many of the system's features are illustrated. >
64Cu labeled ambasar-RGD2 for micro-PET imaging of integrin αvβ3expression

Integrin αvβ3 plays a critical role in tumor-induced angiogenesis and metastasis. Previously, a 64Cu-AmBaSar- RGD monomer with high in vivo stability compared with 64Cu-DOTA-RGD was developed for integrin αvβ3 PET imaging. It has been established that dimeric RGD peptides have higher receptor-binding affinity and superior in vivo kinetics compared with monomeric RGD peptides due to the polyvalency effect. In this context, we synthesized and evaluated 64Cu-labeled AmBaSar dimeric RGD conjugates (64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2) for PET imaging of integrin αvβ3 expression. The dimeric RGD peptide was conjugated with a cage-like chelator AmBaSar and labeled with 64Cu. Cell binding, microPET imaging, receptor blocking, and biodistribution studies of 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2 were conducted in the U87MG human glioblastoma xenograft model. AmBaSar-RGD2 conjugate was obtained in reasonable yield (45.0 ± 2.5%, n= 4) and the identity was confirmed by HPLC and MS (found 1779.8, calculated m/z for [M+H]+ M: C81H125N27O19 1779.9). 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2 was obtained with high radiochemical yield (92.0 ± 1.3%) and purity (≥ 98.0%) under mild conditions (pH 5.0~5.5, 23~37 °C) in 30 min. The specific activity of 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2 was estimated to be 15-22 GBq/µmol at the end of synthesis. Based on microPET imaging and biodistribution studies, 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2 has demonstrated higher tumor uptake at selected time points than 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD. At 20 h p.i., the tumor uptake reached 0.65 ± 0.05 %ID/g for 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD and 1.76 ± 0.38 %ID/g for 64Cu-AmBaSar-RGD2, respectively. The integrin αvβ3 targeting specificity was confirmed by blocking experiments. Therefore, the new tracer 64Cu-AmBaSar- RGD2 exhibited better tumor-targeting efficacy and more favorable in vivo pharmacokinetics than the 64Cu labeled RGD monomer due to the polyvalency effect.
Farmer perspectives on cropping systems diversification in northwestern Minnesota

It is important to understandfactors that influence management decisionsthat determine the level of diversificationwithin cropping systems. Because of the widevariety of cropping systems within a region,our study focused on a single county (Marshall)in northwestern Minnesota. This county wasselected because it is in an area where farmerswere reevaluating their cropping practicesduring the 1990s in response to severe plantdisease outbreaks and economic stresses. Asurvey (n = 153) and follow-up interviews (n = 9)of representative farmers in Marshall Countyshowed that they were approaching theircropping systems management decisions underthese conditions through a dominant conceptualframework (scientific) and two secondaryconceptual frameworks (institutional andspiritual), which we termed “mental causalmodels.” The study illustrates the ways farmersdefine and make decisions affecting theircropping systems diversity under conditions ofagronomic and economic adversity. It alsochallenges agricultural professionals to expandtheir thinking about educational strategiesthat are sensitive to the varied perspectivesof farmers beyond just the scientific mentalcausal model.
Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Identified Motor Neurons in the Drosophila Third Instar Larva Central Nervous System

We have used dye fills and electrophysiological recordings to identify and characterize a cluster of motor neurons in the third instar larval ventral ganglion. This cluster of neurons is similar in...
The Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Transformational Leadership Among Managers

This quantitative nonexperimental proposed research study investigates the problem of managers at a Fortune 500 Company in the western United States being unaware and insensitive to worker’s cultural backgrounds during business activities. Leadership competence in the twenty-first century is missing a cultural component, whereas dispositions or actions must include foreign-understandings and adjustments of behavior during business activities. The purpose for this proposed research study is to investigate relationships between leadership behaviors in the 21st century. This proposed research study contributes to contemporary management theory by calculating an ANOVA between the Cultural Intelligence constructs, and the constructs of the Transformational leadership. This proposed research study investigates how this combination influences managers in modern business. Empirically comparing the transformational management responses with the responses from the Cultural Intelligence Scale, CQ levels now become essential ingredients for leaders to guide any corporation successfully forward into the future. This proposed research study educates managers by improving their Cultural Intelligence, and demonstrates how the company can benefit through the development of leadership and subordinate cultural intelligences. The challenge for the proposed research is to be sensitive toward indicators for increased education and training classes to expand managers’ Cultural Intelligence skill-set. This quantitative nonexperimental proposed research study involves 176 responses for the five-minute survey. Improved cultural awareness and education benefits established managers, and trains new managers in the corporation.
The effect of change-in-control covenants on takeovers: Evidence from leveraged buyouts

Abstract Change-in-control covenants first became commonplace towards the end of the takeover wave in the 1980s. We examine merger and acquisition activity from 1991 to 2006 to see how such covenant protection influences the wealth effects and probability of takeovers. Examining a sample of leveraged buyouts (LBOs) we find bondholders with such covenant protection experience average wealth effects of 2.30% while unprotected bonds experience − 6.76% upon the announcement of an LBO. Furthermore, we document that the existence of bondholder change-in-control covenants cuts the firm's probability of being targeted in an LBO in half. We also find that change-in-control covenants reduce the probability of being targeted in non-LBO takeovers, but the effect appears less dramatic.
A METHOD FOR ANALYSING THE EFFECT OF FLOW ON HEAT TRANSFER IN DIE CASTING

A new method has been developed for determining the effect of flow on heat transfer in die casting during steady production. Aside from the assumption that the casting is thin in comparison with its overall size, there are no restrictions on either the die or casting geometry. Important questions concerning the nature and significance of heat transfer during flow are addressed by analysing a representative two‐dimensional die. The results show that the effect of flow can be critical when the fill time is long, the casting is thin, or the thermal conductance of the die lubricant is high.