cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of methyl tertiary-butyl ether by rat hepatic microsomes

Exposure to methyltertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a commonly used octane booster in gasoline, has previously been shown to alter various muscle, kidney, and liver metabolic activities. In the present study, the metabolism of MTBE by liver microsomes from acetoneor phenobarbital-treated Sprague-Dawley rats was studied at concentrations of up to 5 mM MTBE. Equimolar amounts oftertiary-butanol, as measured by head-space gas chromatography, and formaldehyde were formed. TheV max for the demethylation increased by 4-fold and 5.5-fold after acetone and phenobarbital treatments, respectively. The apparentK m value of 0.70 mM using control microsomes was decreased slightly after acetone treatment, but was increased by 2-fold after phenobarbital treatment. The metabolism of MTBE (1 mM) was inhibited by 35% by monoclonal antibodies against P450IIE1, the acetone/ethanol inducible form of cytochrome P450, suggesting a partial contribution by this isozyme. A single 18-h pretreatment of rats with 1 or 5 ml/kg MTBE (i. p.) resulted in a 50-fold induction of liver microsomal pentoxyresorufin dealkylase activity but no change inN-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity. These trends in activity agreed with immunoblot analysis which showed an elevation in P450IIB1 but no change in P450IIE1 levels.
Immunohistochemical localization of enkephalin and ACTH-related substances in the pituitary of the lamprey

The distributions of ACTH-, αMSH-, βLPH-, and enkephalin-related substances were determined immunohistochemically in the pituitary of the brook lamprey, Lampetra lamotenii. An antiserum directed against the middle region of ACTH reacted chiefly with cells in the proadenohypophysis. An antiserum specific for αMSH reacted with all of the cells of the meta-adenohypophysis, but did not react with any of the middle ACTH-positive cells in the pro-adenohypophysis. Several antisera which crossreact with both βLPH and β-endorphin did not react with any region of the lamprey pituitary. However, an antiserum directed against γLPH did react with a small population of cells in the meso-adenohypophysis. This reactivity could be blocked following pre-absorption with mouse βLPH but was not blocked by synthetic β-endorphin(1–31).
Automatic multiscale enhancement and segmentation of pulmonary vessels in CT pulmonary angiography images for CAD applications

The authors are developing a computerized pulmonary vessel segmentation method for a computer-aided pulmonary embolism (PE) detection system on computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) images. Because PE only occurs inside pulmonary arteries, an automatic and accurate segmentation of the pulmonary vessels in 3D CTPA images is an essential step for the PE CAD system. To segment the pulmonary vessels within the lung, the lung regions are first extracted using expectation-maximization (EM) analysis and morphological operations. The authors developed a 3D multiscale filtering technique to enhance the pulmonary vascular structures based on the analysis of eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix at multiple scales. A new response function of the filter was designed to enhance all vascular structures including the vessel bifurcations and suppress nonvessel structures such as the lymphoid tissues surrounding the vessels. An EM estimation is then used to segment the vascular structures by extracting the high response voxels at each scale. The vessel tree is finally reconstructed by integrating the segmented vessels at all scales based on a "connected component" analysis. Two CTPA cases containing PEs were used to evaluate the performance of the system. One of these two cases also contained pleural effusion disease. Two experienced thoracic radiologists provided the gold standard of pulmonary vessels including both arteries and veins by manually tracking the arterial tree and marking the center of the vessels using a computer graphical user interface. The accuracy of vessel tree segmentation was evaluated by the percentage of the "gold standard" vessel center points overlapping with the segmented vessels. The results show that 96.2% (2398/2494) and 96.3% (1910/1984) of the manually marked center points in the arteries overlapped with segmented vessels for the case without and with other lung diseases. For the manually marked center points in all vessels including arteries and veins, the segmentation accuracy are 97.0% (4546/4689) and 93.8% (4439/4732) for the cases without and with other lung diseases, respectively. Because of the lack of ground truth for the vessels, in addition to quantitative evaluation of the vessel segmentation performance, visual inspection was conducted to evaluate the segmentation. The results demonstrate that vessel segmentation using our method can extract the pulmonary vessels accurately and is not degraded by PE occlusion to the vessels in these test cases.
Glycine high-affinity uptake labels a subpopulation of somatostatin-like immunoreactive cells in theRana pipiens retina

Abstract Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (Som-LI) and glycine high-affinity uptake have been characterized in the Rana pipiens retina. These labels are found in both the outer and inner plexiform layers (OPL and IPL), suggesting that interplexiform cells (IPCs) contain both Som and glycine in this retina. In double-label experiments these labels colocalize to an abundant population of cells in the mid-inner nuclear layer (INL), in the second or third cell layer distal from the IPL. These cells have medium sized spherical or oval somas, each with a single thin descending dendrite which ramifies in the distal IPL. Processes ascending from cells at this location were not visualized by immunocytochemistry, but could be seen by autoradiography of tissue processed for glycine high-affinity uptake. In autoradiographs apparent IPCs were the most intensely labeled cell type in this retina. Som-LI is also found in two types of probable amacrine cells in the proximal INL adjacent to the IPL, neither of which is labeled by glycine high-affinity uptake. One of these is rare (about 10 cells/mm 2 ), and has a large pyriform soma with a thick dendrite that branches in the proximal IPL. The other type is more common (324 ± 20cells/mm 2 ), has medium-sized spherical or horizontally elongated elliptical somas, and has multiple thin dendrites projecting into the distal IPL. In addition to the above cell types, faint Som-LI was seen in cells of the ganglion cell layer, possibly indicating the presence of somatostaninergic ganglion cells or displaced amacrine cells.
Simultaneous Acquisition of Quadrupolar Order and Double-Quantum23Na Signals

Abstract Na+with both residual quadrupolar coupling and biexponential relaxation contributes to the signal acquired from DQF-4, while only Na+with residual quadrupolar coupling contributes to the signal acquired with the Jeener–Broekaert sequence. Since RF phases and flip angles for DQF-4 and Jeener-Broekaert sequences are identical, these different types of signals can be generated simultaneously. A phase-cycling scheme is developed to differentiate the signals corresponding to residual quadrupolar coupling and biexponential relaxation after the signals are acquired by use of the same RF sequences. This technique can maximize the attainable information from Na+in biological tissues in a given acquisition time.
FRET excited ratiometric oxygen sensing in living tissue

Dynamic analysis of oxygen (O2) has been limited by the lack of a real-time, quantitative, and biocompatible sensor. To address these demands, we designed a ratiometric optode matrix consisting of the phosphorescence quenching dye platinum (II) octaethylporphine ketone (PtOEPK) and nanocystal quantum dots (NQDs), which when embedded within an inert polymer matrix allows long-term pre-designed excitation through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Depositing this matrix on various glass substrates allowed the development of a series of optical sensors able to measure interstitial oxygen concentration [O2] with several hundred millisecond temporal resolution in varying biological microdomains of active brain tissue.
Isolation of a fraction of Bacillus megaterium DNA enriched in "minus" sequences

Abstract Denatured Bacillus megaterium DNA has been separated into two fractions in equilibrium cesium sulfate gradients, by complexing with poly UG. The fraction with the greater buoyant density is enriched in minus sequences, i.e. those hybridizable with pulse-labeled, homologous RNA.
Application of density functional theory (DFT) to study the properties and degradation of natural estrogen hormones with chemical oxidizers

Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), equilin (EQ) and 17α-estradiol (17α) estrogen hormones are released by humans and animals and have been detected in the environment and municipal wastewater treatment plants. The structural and electronic properties of natural hormone molecules are investigated by performing density functional theory calculations and used to predict their properties and chemical behavior. Quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) approach is applied to correlate the estrogenicity associated with the natural estrogen hormones according to their molecular properties. The obtained relationship reveals the importance of the frontier molecular orbital energy in the interpretation of estrogenic activity of hormones, which is consistent with the previous research. Moreover, the obtained molecular descriptors also aid determination of the degradability of hormones, and to rationalize degradation pathways, with chemical oxidizers such as ozone and hydroxyl radical. Both types of interactions belong to the orbital-controlled reactions. The active sites determined by Fukui functions for the estrogen hormone molecules confirm the reaction pattern that initiates the attack of the aromatic ring for both ozone and hydroxyl radical. The reactive sites of the molecules are mapped with subsequent reaction intermediates and compared with experimental data obtained from the literature.
Frequency, transition-energy, and bundling behavior of a new class of carbon nanotube intermediate frequency modes

A new class of intermediate frequency modes (IFMs) observed with Raman excitation from 700 nm to 985 nm in the 380-500 cm -1 region are described. These IFMs parallel behaviour previously observed at higher frequencies and resonance energies [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 087401 (2004); Phys. Rev. B 72, 085446 (2005)], but in the present case occur through coupling to transitions intermediate in energy between E 11 and E 22 . The IFM intensity behaviour on bundling is found to be the opposite of that for the radial breathing modes (RBMs). We demonstrate that exciton-phonon coupling for the IFMs is enhanced by the bundling process, while the opposite is found for the RBMs.
Electron radiation sensitivity of protein crystals.

Abstract Thin protein crystals are quite susceptible to electron radiation damage. Methods for evaluating the radiation damage kinetics of thin protein crystals and a review of the previous studies on radiation damage of thin protein crystals under various experimental conditions are presented.
Comparison of excess sulfate yields and median pH values of rivers in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, 1971-1973 and 1982-1984

Using the best available data, a comparison of the excess sulfate yields and median pH values of rivers in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for the two periods 1971–1973 and 1982–1984 showed that the excess sulfate yields were significantly lower in the latter period, and the median pH values of the non-organically-dominated rivers were higher. The area] pattern of excess sulfate yields of rivers on the island of Newfoundland is in accord with the known pattern of precipitation across the island. Comparison of data for the Mersey River in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, with measured wet deposition of excess sulfate showed that the river yields of excess sulfate are higher than the wet deposition by amounts that are likely due to dry deposition.
Assessing the response of the Gulf Coast to global change

Gulf Coastal Science Consortium Workshop;Houston, Texas, 28–29 June 2012 The newly formed Gulf Coastal Science Consortium held its first workshop at Rice University. The creation of the consortium was prompted by two recent incidents. One incident involved censorship of a book chapter on Galveston Bay by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that omitted all references to climate change and accelerated sea-level rise. The other incident was the adoption of legislation in North Carolina that requires planners and developers to assume a linear sea-level rise projection, despite compelling scientific evidence for a multifold increase in sea-level rise in historical time.
Arabic text formatter: comments and implementation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to comment on an article previously published in Computer Languages and proposing an Arabic Text Formatter . Major errors are located in the design, each followed by a discussion and a suggested solution based upon a combined knowledge in computer and Arabic language. Next a linguistic view and a computer view are shown in two separate sections, the first one annotates missing points related to the Arabic language, and the second one explores a complete formatter implementation in Pascal language. A conclusion is drawn by indicating the result of applying the new version effectively.
Can the Media Create Public Opinion? A Social-Identity Approach

The media remains a powerful presence in U.S. culture. It gives people news of world and local events, it entertains, and it may even function as a companion to children. Because it functions as a window to the outside world, what appears across its landscape actually may become people’s reality. Thus, the potential for distorting their view of that world is high if the picture provided is unrepresentative of actual events. For example, the prevalence of violent acts on television has been linked to increased aggression and escalating impressions of a dangerous world, and the overrepresentation of youth and beauty may be a causal factor of eating disorders. In this article, we explore the possibility that the media may also serve as a powerful creator of the very public opinions it seeks to reflect in its news. Subtle nonverbal cues of newscasters have been shown to influence voting behavior, and the media’s overrepresentation of the proportion of blacks in poverty may decrease whites’ support of welfare. By portraying a world in which people’s opinions are based on their ethnic or demographic group membership, the media may also subtly but powerfully create the very opinions they seek to reflect.
The role of colloids in tracemetal transport and adsorption behavior in New Jersey Pinelands streams

Dissolved and colloidal concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were determined in the Mullica River, New Jersey, and its tributaries on nine occasions between August 1994 and September 1995. Cross-flow filtration (CFF) at a nominal 10 kDa cutoff was used to separate total dissolved (,0.45 mm) riverine metals into colloidal and truly dissolved fractions. Reproducibility tests on full procedural replicates demonstrated CFF’s precision and indicated that temporal or spatial differences exceeding 10‐15% in colloidal fraction can be resolved using these techniques. For the whole data set, mean colloidal fractions of 0.45-mm filtrates were 65% for Al, 82% for Fe, 29% for Mn, 66% for Cu, 31% for Zn, 46% for Cd, and 88% for Pb. The magnitude of the colloidal fraction followed an elemental order that was largely consistent from site to site and among different sampling dates, despite large variations in total dissolved metal concentrations. The order was very similar to that observed previously in rivers of varying geochemical properties, suggesting that the degree of colloidal association is driven by a metal’s affinity for humic materials and is relatively insensitive to other riverine properties such as pH, dissolved organic carbon, and suspended mass. The constancy of this elemental pattern in Pinelands streams suggests that the relative fates of metals during estuarine colloid flocculation may be predictable and temporally stable. Iron behavior was distinct from that of the other elements: colloidal Fe fraction was positively correlated with pH (range, 4.3‐7.1) and the colloidal Fe/Al ratio showed clear seasonal variation. The other metals did not exhibit these behaviors, which suggests that their colloidal association was distinct from that of Fe. Colloidal metal/Al ratio for Fe, Pb, and Zn was clearly different from that of .0.45-mm particles; that finding is consistent with the distinct compositions and sources for colloidal and particulate fractions. The distribution coefficient (Kd) for Pb was positively correlated with suspended particulate mass (,10-fold variation) over time at one representative site. This inverse particle concentration effect runs contrary to recent observations in other freshwater and marine systems and suggests that colloidal and particulate size fractions vary independently over the course of the year.
Management of Skin Abscesses by Primary Care Pediatricians

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin abscesses. Objective: To evaluate primary care pediatricians’ management of skin abscesses. Methods: A national mail survey of a random sample of 385 general pediatricians conducted from April to June 2010. Results: The response rate was 49%. Most respondents (72%) were aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommendations for the management of soft tissue infections. Only 10% reported that no one in their practice could perform incision and drainage an uncomplicated abscess. Approximately one third (34%) reported that it is too time consuming to do so. About half (55%) were interested in further training in abscess management. Conclusion: Although most primary care pediatric practices are prepared to manage uncomplicated abscesses, more than half were interested in further training in the management of this condition. A comprehensive training program of skin infections could not only improve abscess management but also de...
Highly tunable fiber-coupled photomixers with coherent terahertz output power

Low-temperature-grown (LTG) GaAs is used as an optical-heterodyne converter or photomixer, to generate coherent continuous-wave (CW) output radiation at frequencies up to 5 THz. Photomixers consist of an epitaxial LTG-GaAs layer that is patterned with interdigitated metal electrodes, on which two laser beams are focused with their frequencies offset by the desired difference frequency. The difference-frequency power is coupled out of the photomixer using coplanar waveguide at low frequencies and using log-spiral, dipole, and slot antennas at higher frequencies. Difference-frequency power is limited by the maximum optical-pump power that the photomixer can withstand. Fiber-coupled photomixers were operated at 77 K-a configuration in which they exhibited improved heatsinking and, therefore, withstood higher pump power. Progress has been made in the development of photomixer local oscillators (LOs) for space-based receivers that use superconducting tunnel junctions and hot-electron bolometers as heterodyne detectors.
Natural Orbital Expansion of Interacting Geminals

An antisymmetrized product of “interacting” geminals is proposed for the form of a many‐electron wavefunction. The interacting geminals are given a natural orbital expansion where the natural orbitals of the geminals are also natural orbitals of the total wavefunction. This ansatz is more general than the strongly and weakly orthogonal geminal and identical geminal models and includes them as particular cases. However, the use of the interacting geminal wavefunction is not significantly more complicated for the purpose of calculations. Different constraints on the geminal occupation coefficients define the various geminal models and more than one model can be incorporated into a single wavefunction. The case of two singlet pairs of electrons is examined in terms of the interacting geminal model—density matrices, energy expressions, and variational equations being given.
TB infection in the nonhuman primate biomedical model: Tip of the iceberg?

Abstract Biomedical research in the 21st century increasingly relies on pathogen-free nonhuman primates (NHPs) to model human pathophysiology. Despite adherence to protocols designed to maintain pathogen-free colonies, reports of tuberculosis regularly appear. We hypothesize that, undetected by standard screening protocols, mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) continue to circulate in established NHP colonies and may, in addition, be periodically reintroduced with newly imported animals. The tuberculin skin test (TST), the accepted standard screening test for tuberculosis, relies on the host’s immune response to detect infection, but empirical data suggest that TST lacks both specificity and, particularly in certain NHP species and in immune compromised animals, sensitivity. In order to improve the detection of MTBC infection in NHP colonies we propose new screening protocols that incorporate molecular methods to detect mycobacteria. These new tests do not rely on the host’s immune response and may allow for strain typing of the pathogens – enhancing our ability to elucidate patterns of disease transmission. Moreover, the ability to rapidly and noninvasively collect specimens could lead to an improved appreciation of the burden of MTBC circulating in populations of NHPs and humans, including drug-resistant strains, data that are invaluable to public health efforts.
Improved content adaptive update weight control in motion-compensated temporal filtering

In this paper, we present a content-adaptive chrominance and motion vector correlation-based update step for scalable video coding. It takes advantage of the chrominance information in the video sequence and the correlation of motion vectors (MVs) of the neighboring blocks as well as the correlation of the derived update MVs in the low-pass frames to improve the update step of lifting-based motion-compensated temporal filtering (MCTF). We further enhance our proposed method via an efficient content adaptive analysis. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the visual quality of the reconstructed video sequences at different bit rates and resolutions.
Excess iodide inhibits the thyroid by multiple mechanisms

The many nonsubstrate effects of iodide in the thyroid appear to be due to at least four mechanisms: 1) a possible anion effect of iodide for which the supporting data are conflicting; 2) an inhibition of organic iodine formation (the so-called Wolff-Chaikoff effect); 3) the iodination of critical enzymes in the thyroid gland; and 4) the inhibition of cellular processes by iodinated products such as oxidized iodine itself, or an oxidation reaction involving iodine. The separation into these categories is not firm, but circumstantial evidence suggests that the mechanisms are different. In addition, high levels of iodide will saturate the iodide pump (Ki ≈3×10−5M) (1). In this case, however, the amounts of iodide which enter the thyroid cell remain large, despite transport saturation and are replaced by diffused iodide. Hence this subject will not be discussed here.
Use of flow cytometry to develop and characterize a set of monoclonal antibodies specific for rabbit leukocyte differentiation molecules

Flow cytometry was used to identify and characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that react with rabbit leukocyte differentiation molecules (LDM). Screening sets of mAbs, developed against LDM in other species, for reactivity with rabbit LDM yielded 11 mAbs that recognize conserved epitopes on rabbit LDM orthologues and multiple mAbs that recognize epitopes expressed on the major histocompatibility class I or class II molecules. Screening of mAbs submitted to the Animal Homologues Section of the Eighth Human Leukocyte Differentiation Workshop yielded 7 additional mAbs. Screening of mAbs generated from mice immunized with leukocytes from rabbit thymus or spleen or concanavalin A activated peripheral blood and/or spleen lymphocytes has yielded 42 mAbs that recognize species restricted epitopes expressed on one or more lineages of leukocytes. Screening of the anti-rabbit mAbs against leukocytes from other species yielded one additional mAb. The studies show that screening of existing sets of mAbs for reactivity with rabbit LDM will not be productive and that a direct approach will be needed to develop mAbs for research in rabbits. The flow cytometric approach we developed to screen for mAbs of interest offers a way for individual laboratories to identify and characterize mAbs to LDM in rabbits and other species. A web-based program we developed provides a source of information that will facilitate analysis. It contains a searchable data base on known CD molecules and a data base on mAbs, known to react with LDM in one or more species of artiodactyla, equidae, carnivora, and or lagomorpha.
A Review of the Effects of Self-Monitoring on Reading Performance of Students With Disabilities

The purpose of this review was to synthesize the effects of self-monitoring methods on reading achievement for students with disabilities. Studies examining the self-monitoring of reading behaviors that were published in peer-reviewed journals from 1987 to 2008 were synthesized with regard to types of participants, settings, research designs, independent variables, dependent variables, and intervention effects. Effect sizes and percentages of nonoverlapping data were calculated to provide overall estimates of the magnitude of using self-monitoring methods to improve reading performance. Findings suggested that reading performance improved when self-monitoring methods were used. Among the many findings derived from this review, more studies explored the use of self-monitoring on comprehension skills than on other reading skills, and more studies included participants with learning disabilities (followed by students with emotional and behavioral disorders) than students with other types of disabilities. Lim...
The NCAA Adopts 'Dodd-Frank': A Fable

In recent years, NCAA football has been rocked by a string of high-profile violations, including those at USC, Ohio State, the University of Miami, and Auburn. In many ways, these violations were similar to the governance breakdowns at financial and other corporations leading up to the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. In the corporate world, Congress responded to the financial crisis by enacting the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, which among other things imposed various governance requirements on all publicly traded companies. What would happen were the NCAA to adopt these same provisions and require them of all universities and their football programs? In this fictitious tale, we explore what such a set of rules would look like. We ask: If these requirements would not work in an athletic setting, should we expect them to work in business? Why are the governance provisions of Dodd-Frank legally required, rather than voluntarily adopted by individual companies? Why does Dodd-Frank place such emphasis on executive compensation and disclosure? Will its compensation requirements reduce governance failures? Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitudes, Prior Exposure, and Intent among Undergraduate Students:

Background:Understanding breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and exposures among nonpregnant youth who are likely to be future parents may provide significant pathways to successfully increasing breastfeeding as the normal, accepted way of feeding infants. However, based on a recent review of the literature, only 3 studies have assessed these factors in nonpregnant, young adults in the United States in the past 10 years.Objective:The objective of this study was to gather more recent data regarding breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and prior exposure among undergraduate university students.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey, conducted in November 2010. A convenience sample, consisting of undergraduates in attendance in 2 sections of an introductory nutrition class at a large research university, was used for this project (N = 248).Results:Breastfeeding knowledge was relatively good. However, overall breastfeeding attitudes were more neutral, which appeared to be explained by the belief that breast...
Morphing Bus: A rapid deployment computing architecture for high performance, resource-constrained robots

For certain applications, field robotic systems require small size for cost, weight, access, stealth or other reasons. Small size results in constraints on critical resources such as power, space (for sensors and actuators), and computing cycles, but these robots still must perform many of the challenging tasks of their larger brethren. The need for advanced capabilities such as machine vision, application-specific sensing, path planning, self localization, etc. is not reduced by small-scale applications, but needs may vary with the task. As a result, when resources are constrained, it is prudent to configure the robot for the task at hand; both hardware and software. We are developing a reconfigurable computing subsystem for resource-constrained robots that allows rapid deployment of statically configured hardware and software for a specific task. The use of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) provides flexibility in hardware for both sensor interfacing and hardware-accelerated computation. In this paper, we describe a static reconfiguration architecture we call the morphing bus that allows the rapid assembly of sensors and dedicated computation through reusable hardware and software modules. It is a novel sensor bus in the fact that no bus interface circuitry is required on the sensor side - the bus "morphs" to accommodate the signals of the sensor
TRANSPERITONEAL VERSUS RETROPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY: PATIENT SELECTION AND PERIOPERATIVE OUTCOMES

ABSTRACTPurpose: We compared the results of transperitoneal (T) and retroperitoneal (R) approaches to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in regard to perioperative outcomes and technical considerations, thereby, identifying patient selection guidelines for each approach.Materials and Methods: The choice of approach was dictated primarily by tumor location, that is TLPN for anterior or lateral lesions and RLPN for posterior or posterolateral lesions. The approaches differed primarily by the hilar control technique. During TLPN en bloc hilar control was achieved with a Satinsky clamp, while during RLPN individual vessel control was obtained with bulldog clamps.Results: In a 3-year period 100 TLPNs and 63 RLPNs were performed for renal tumor. Of posterior tumors 77% were managed by RLPN, whereas 97% of anterior tumors were managed by TLPN. TLPN was associated with significantly larger tumors (3.2 vs 2.5 cm, p <0.001), more caliceal suture repairs (79% vs 57%, p = 0.004), longer ischemia time (31 vs 28 mi...
EFFECT OF CAFFEINE-DEXTROSE ON FlXATlONAL AND READING EFFICIENCY

Fourteen male optometry students were tested under control conditions (taking neither stimulant nor placebo) on reading comprehension, duration (speed), total number of fixations, and span of fixation. They then were divided randomly into two equal groups. One group ingested two tablets, each containing 200 mg caffeine alkaloid and 150 mg of dextrose; the other, two placebo tablets containing sugar and pepper. Results showed no difference between the two control groups, indicating about equal base for initiating the experimental procedure, and no difference between control and placebo, reflecting the ineffectiveness of this placebo as a stimulant. Significant difference between control and caffeine-dextrose appeared in three of the four efficiency measures, implying a need for still higher dosage to bring out significant improvement in duration. Significant difference between the two experimental mean-percent improvements indicated that caffeine-dextrose, at the present composition and dosage, does enhance the fixational and reading efficiency.
Co-benefits of large scale plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and solar PV deployment

Abstract A number of studies have found that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will have relatively small grid impacts if charged with overnight off-peak electricity. However the greatest petroleum displacement will occur if vehicles are allowed to charge during the day, maximizing all-electric range. Charging during the day also allows for a smaller, lower cost battery. Mid-day charging will add to peak electricity demands and may occur in locations where it is difficult to construct new generation and transmission capacity. Solar photovoltaics (PV) provide an option to provide mid-day peaking capacity. Mid-day charging of PHEVs also may absorb low value or even curtailed PV generation during periods of low demand. This study identifies possible co-benefits of large scale PV and PHEV deployment by simulating the Texas grid and identifying changes in peak capacity requirements and PV curtailment. A modest deployment of PV is able to avoid most of the increase in capacity requirements associated with very large PHEV penetrations. PHEVs are also able to reduce curtailment at high PV penetration, especially if charging can be controlled to improve the coincidence of consumer charging demand with normal PV generation patterns.
QCD-like theories on R 3 × S 1 : A smooth journey from small to large r ( S 1 ) with double-trace deformations

We consider QCD-like theories with one massless fermion in various representations of the gauge group SU(N). The theories are formulated on R{sub 3} x S{sub 1}. In the decompactification limit of large r(S{sub 1}) all these theories are characterized by confinement, mass gap and spontaneous breaking of a (discrete) chiral symmetry ({chi}SB). At small r(S{sub 1}), in order to stabilize the vacua of these theories at a center-symmetric point, we suggest to perform a double trace deformation. With these deformation, the theories at hand are at weak coupling at small r(S{sub 1}) and yet exhibit basic features of the large-r(S{sub 1}) limit: confinement and {chi}SB. We calculate the string tension, mass gap, bifermion condensates and {theta} dependence. The double-trace deformation becomes dynamically irrelevant at large r(S{sub 1}). Despite the fact that at small r(S{sub 1}) confinement is Abelian, while it is expected to be non-Abelian at large r(S{sub 1}), we argue that small and large-r(S{sub 1}) physics are continuously connected. If so, one can use small-r(S{sub 1}) laboratory to extract lessons about QCD and QCD-like theories on R{sub 4}.
Evidence for disturbed S-adenosylmethionine : S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio in patients with end-stage renal failure: a cause for disturbed methylation reactions?

Background. Elevated homocysteine concentrations have been associated with premature arteriosclerosis and with impairment of key methylation reactions through accumulation of the homocysteine metabolite S-adenosylhomocysteine. In end-stage renal failure high homocysteine concentrations are commonly found but thus far the concentrations of related adenosylated metabolites in plasma have not been assessed. Methods. In this prospective study we determined plasma homocysteine and related metabolites in 25 patients on regular haemodialysis, and in 40 healthy volunteers. Blood samples from patients were drawn immediately before and in 10 patients additionally after the dialysis session. Results. Folic acid and vitamin B 12 in plasma were similar in patients (mean±SEM 25±2 nmol/l and 400±41pmol/l respectively) and controls (24±3 and 324±23 respectively). In patients plasma homocysteine, S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine were markedly elevated (36.6±3.6 μmol/l, 381±32 nmol/l and 1074±55 nmol/l respectively) compared to the control values (6.8±0.4 μmol/l, 60±3 nmol/l and 24.4±1.1 nmol/l respectively) whereas the molar ratio of plasma S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine was significantly decreased (0.36±0.02 and 2.7±0.2 in patients and controls respectively). Haemodialysis failed to normalize the abnormal levels of these metabolites. Conclusion. Since the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine: S-adenosylhomocysteine is closely linked to the activity of numerous enzymatic methylation reactions, these results suggest that methylation may be impaired in these patients.
Karyopherin α7 (KPNA7), a divergent member of the importin α family of nuclear import receptors

Classical nuclear localization signal (NLS) dependent nuclear import is carried out by a heterodimer of importin α and importin β. NLS cargo is recognized by importin α, which is bound by importin β. Importin β mediates translocation of the complex through the central channel of the nuclear pore, and upon reaching the nucleus, RanGTP binding to importin β triggers disassembly of the complex. To date, six importin α family members, encoded by separate genes, have been described in humans. We sequenced and characterized a seventh member of the importin α family of transport factors, karyopherin α 7 (KPNA7), which is most closely related to KPNA2. The domain of KPNA7 that binds Importin β (IBB) is divergent, and shows stronger binding to importin β than the IBB domains from of other importin α family members. With regard to NLS recognition, KPNA7 binds to the retinoblastoma (RB) NLS to a similar degree as KPNA2, but it fails to bind the SV40-NLS and the human nucleoplasmin (NPM) NLS. KPNA7 shows a predominantly nuclear distribution under steady state conditions, which contrasts with KPNA2 which is primarily cytoplasmic. KPNA7 is a novel importin α family member in humans that belongs to the importin α2 subfamily. KPNA7 shows different subcellular localization and NLS binding characteristics compared to other members of the importin α family. These properties suggest that KPNA7 could be specialized for interactions with select NLS-containing proteins, potentially impacting developmental regulation.
Very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in a pair of mildly affected monozygotic twin sister in their late fifties

Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) catalyses the initial step of mitochondrial β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids with a chain length of 14 to 20 carbons. Deficiency of VLCAD activity has been associated with a range of phenotypes, including a severe lethal form presenting in the infantile period and a milder variant with onset in childhood. Varying rates of residual enzyme activity partly explain the heterogeneity in presentations. Here we report the course of disease in a pair of monozygotic twin sisters who were diagnosed in their late forties during an evaluation for rhabdomyolysis and fatigue. Interestingly, the patients’ complaints were most severe during puberty and declined significantly after the menopause. The basis for this observation is uncertain, but may be related to hormonally-mediated changes in lipid metabolism that may occur at these times. As metabolic decompensation can be associated with significant morbidity, timely diagnosis of VLCAD deficiency is important. The introduction of appropriate dietary measures (i.e. avoidance of fasting, long-chain fat restriction and supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides) greatly reduces the likelihood of complications.
Handwritten CAPTCHA: using the difference in the abilities of humans and machines in reading handwritten words

Handwritten text offers challenges that are rarely encountered in machine-printed text. In addition, most problems faced in reading machine-printed text (e.g., character recognition, word segmentation, letter segmentation, etc.) are more severe, in handwritten text. In this paper we present the application of human interactive proofs (HIP), which is a relatively new research area with the primary focus of defending online services against abusive attacks. It uses a set of security protocols based on automatic tests that humans can pass but the state-of-the-art computer programs cannot. This is accomplished by exploiting the differential in the proficiency between humans and computers in reading handwritten word images.
Public Digital Goods and Firm Productivity

As public digital goods become more freely available and more frequently used as key inputs by firms, understanding the impact they have on productivity becomes more important. In this paper, I measure the impact of one such good, open source software (OSS), on firm productivity. I find a positive and significant return to the usage of OSS. I address the endogeneity issues inherent in productivity studies by using panel data with fixed and random effects, dynamic panel estimation via the Arellano-Bond method, and matching. I find that the main effect is moderated by firm size such that smaller firms receive a larger benefit to OSS usage. My findings fill an important gap in the existing literature on the returns to IT investment, which does not properly account for non-pecuniary IT inputs.
Creationism, the Courts, and the First Amendment

During the past sixty years, religious fundamentalists have regularly asked the courts to legitimize their campaign against the teaching of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in the pub lic schools. In their view, Darwinian theory is inconsistent with the "inerrant word of God" with regard to explaining human kind's creation. At first, the courts were sympathetic as in the Scopes "monkey trial" where the nation's first anti-evolution law was upheld by the Tennessee Supreme Court.1 Although implementation of anti-evolution policies was sometimes con tested, the controversy remained relatively dormant until de mands were made for improved science instruction after the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union. Following the adoption of recommendations by the federally funded Biological Science Curriculum Study to emphasize evolution in high school text books, courts were again called upon to decide whether remain ing anti-evolution laws were constitutional.2 In Epperson v. Arkansas,3 the United States Supreme Court held that prohibit ing the teaching of evolution was an impermissible establish ment of religion. Even before this decision, fundamentalists had stopped seek ing legislative bans on the teaching of evolution. Rather, they urged the states to provide equal time for the biblical view of creation. Epperson, however, suggested that this approach would violate the Establishment Clause. A new strategy was needed, one that could not be construed as promoting religious
Physiological basis of flow dependence of Gorlin formula valve area in aortic stenosis: analysis using an hydraulic model of pulsatile flow.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aim was to clarify the basis of the cardiac output dependence of aortic valve area calculated with the Gorlin formula which has been reported in patients with aortic stenosis. Clinical and experimental studies which have attempted to differentiate between a change in physical orifice area, versus a defect in the Gorlin formula as the cause of cardiac output related variations in Gorlin valve area in aortic stenosis have yielded conflicting results. METHODS: We employed a numerical model of pulsatile flow in which the total instantaneous transvalvular gradient was the sum of the convective and viscous pressure losses and pressure recovery beyond the stenosis. By analogy with other hydraulic devices, viscous losses due to stenosis were modeled by the term KfV(EXP), where V is flow velocity. Kf and EXP were determined for various orifices by adjusting these two parameters to obtain excellent fit between curves of the orifice discharge coefficient based upon the expression KfV(EXP), and empirically measured orifice discharge coefficient curves which have been published in the engineering literature. Mean systolic transvalvular gradient was calculated from the total instantaneous transvalvular gradient values for an assumed jet area, and an assumed systolic time-velocity flow profile. This mean gradient was substituted into the Gorlin equation to find the apparent Gorlin valve area at cardiac outputs varying from 0 to 10 l/min for a range of where V is assumed true areas between 0.5 and 2.0 cm2. RESULTS: For functional valve areas <1.5 cm2, viscous losses resulted in at most a 10-12% fall in apparent Gorlin valve area when cardiac output was decreased from 5 to 2.5 l/min. In addition, maximum viscous losses did not result in a pressure-flow relationship which was closer to linear than to quadratic. which the CONCLUSION: Clinically significant changes in valve area with flow are due to orifice area changes rather than Gorlin formula flow variability. Moreover beyond the Gorlin valve area is preferred over valve 'resistance' for assessing stenosis severity. In low cardiac output states, output should be increased to the normal range before Gorlin valve area is measured.
Multisymplectic Spectral Methods for the Gross-Pitaevskii Equation

Recently, Bridges and Reich introduced the concept of multisymplectic spectral discretizations for Hamiltonian wave equations with periodic boundary conditions [5]. In this paper, we show that the ID nonlinear Schrodinger equation and the 2D Gross-Pitaevskii equation are multi-symplectic and derive multi-symplectic spectral discretizations of these systems. The effectiveness of the discretizations is numerically tested using initial data for multi-phase solutions.
Immunoprofile studies for patients with bronchogenic carcinoma: I. Correlation of pretherapy studies with survival

The general immune competence of 146 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma was measured, prior to irradiation therapy, by determining dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) reactivity, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity (DCH) response to microbial antigens, peripheral lymphocyte counts, peripheral T and B lymphocyte counts, and the response of patient’s lymphocytes to stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavallin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Analyses were performed by the life-table method to determine the correlation of the immune status of these patients with survival rates. Statistically significant differences in survival were noted between the groups of patients with normal values when compared with the patients with abnormal values for the majority of the tests of general immunity. A stage of disease correlation with survival rate was noted for all groups of patients with abnormal immune measurements, but it was absent for many of the immune parameters when patients with normal values were compared. The effects of histology, age, and sex did not appear to influence the survival data as significantly as did the immune status of the patient. These data indicate that measurements of general immune competence may be of significant prognostic value for the management of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. The measurement of DNCB reactivity shows the strongest correlation with survival rate.