cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Performance Improvement Project on Exclusive Breastfeeding

Newborn Care Poster Presentation Objective A growing body of evidence demonstrates that performance improvement initiatives increase knowledge, provide resources, and encourage evidence-based improvements in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to determine whether a web-based performance improvement project could improve an important clinical outcome: exclusive breastfeeding. Design This study was an ad hoc data analysis of the "Breastfeeding Friendly Improvement Project: Meeting the Gold Standard in Infant Nutrition," a performance improvement, continuing medical education activity designed to promote and support breastfeeding. Participants used a chart audit tool to document exclusive breastfeeding and other explanatory variables that could affect the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. The web-based program using chart data from their individual practice settings allowed participants to proceed at their own pace and to receive individual scores and peer comparisons throughout the process. Sample One hundred sixty-two (162) physicians self-selected to participate in this American Board of Pediatrics approved activity. Methods Random effects tobit regression analysis of chart audit data pre- and postcompletion of the performance improvement activity was used to determine clinical practice changes, the improvement in rate of exclusive breastfeeding among patients, and which clinical practices had the best association with increases in exclusive breastfeeding. Implementation Strategies A total of 2,587 preperformance improvement patient profiles and 3,240 postperformance improvement profiles were reviewed. Results Improvement in all best practice variables was reported. Following completion of the performance improvement project, exclusive breastfeeding rates in the patient profiles increased 14.50% (p Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Participation in a web-based performance improvement initiative significantly improved use of evidence-based best practices and rates of exclusive breastfeeding. The role of performance improvement initiatives in providing quality health care should not be underestimated and should be embraced by the healthcare community as an effective tool to improve patient outcomes. Though the participants in this study were physicians, the activity can be used by other healthcare providers, especially nurses, and would be especially useful in providing aggregate data about a hospital's practice.
High-Purity Separation of Rare Species in Droplet Microfluidics using Droplet-Conduit Structures

We present a technique to achieve high-purity isolation of the target species in electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD)-based droplet microfluidics by forming a long and slender liquid path between droplets that acts as a "conduit" for actively transported target species, while minimizing non-specific transport due to diffusion and fluidic movement. By stabilizing the conduit chemically (e.g., using surfactants) and controlling the fluid by EWOD, we demonstrate, as an example, very high magnetic bead (MB) collection efficiency (≫ 99%) while eliminating ~97% non-magnetic beads (nonMBs) in just one separation step.
New Tools for Optimizing Endometrial Receptivity in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Aromatase Inhibitors and LH/minihCG

In the long history of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), two steps stand out as being the most important ones for providing the high efficacy of current treatments: the introduction of GnRH agonists for the prevention of premature ovulation and the widespread use of pretreatment with oral contraceptives before COH for in vitro fertilization. Interestingly, the benefits of both measures resulted largely from pure serendipity, as the discovery of these advantages was mostly fortuitous and/or unintended. Today, we believe that two areas of research have the highest potential for further improving the efficacy of COH: (1) switching the follicle-stimulating hormone stimulus to that of luteinizing hormone (or small amounts of hCG) in the last stages of COH; and (2) using the benefit of the new third-generation aromatase inhibitors that have recently become available. The effects of the latter products are to enhance the endogenous production of gonadotropins (mostly FSH). This article reviews the background data and rationale that justifies each of these two new developments and summarizes data currently available.
On optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio of two-state experiments☆

Abstract It is shown that in a two-state experiment of total duration T , false asymmetries due to drifts with frequencies smaller than ≈ 1 T can largely be eliminated by switching the state of the experiment in a sequence of unequal time intervals with average duration t . In this frequency range this technique is greatly superior to the conventional method of switching at equal intervals t , while both methods are about equally insensitive to drifts with frequencies larger than ≈ 1 T . This result is applied to the design of an experiment in which asymmetries on the order of 10−7 to 10−8 are measured. The optimum switching pattern consisting of unequal time intervals is calculated, and the conditions for its use are discussed. Comparison with a conventional switching pattern shows that effects of slow drifts can be lowered by several orders of magnitude in most cases of practical interest.
Parent–adolescent interactions and psychosocial risk in adolescents: an analysis of communication, support and gender

The main purpose of this study was to verify the correlation between family functioning and the presence of psychosocial risk in adolescents. The sample of 279 intact families with a late adolescent and their parents completed self-report instruments in order to evaluate support and communication in parent-adolescent relationships. An index of risk was constructed with the MAUT technique. Data analysis was conducted on individual and relational dyadic levels. It was found that: (a) a supportive relationship and adequate communication between parents and adolescents are correlated to the absence or presence of psychosocial risk; and (b) the father in this phase of life is a reliable source of information regarding his relationship with his children and their psychosocial adjustment.
Correlations beyond the horizon

It is a fundamental feature of quantum field theory that correlations between observable quantities occur over all spacetime regions. In particular, in cosmological models with horizons, such correlations will be present in regions which “lie outside of each other's horizon”. Such correlations may play an important role in processes occurring in the early universe.
Spatio-temporal analysis of Wikipedia metadata and the STiki anti-vandalism tool

The bulk of Wikipedia anti-vandalism tools require natural language processing over the article or diff text. However, our prior work demonstrated the feasibility of using spatio-temporal properties to locate malicious edits. STiki is a real-time, on-Wikipedia tool leveraging this technique.The associated poster reviews STiki's methodology and performance. We find competing anti-vandalism tools inhibit maximal performance. However, the tool proves particularly adept at mitigating long-term embedded vandalism. Further, its robust and language-independent nature make it well-suited for use in less-patrolled Wiki installations.
Significance of Regulatory Constraints on the operation of Packerless Waste Injection Wells

U.S. Federal regulations for groundwater protection require all hazardous-waste disposal wells to be constructed so that casing leaks can be reliably monitored. Wells constructed with static-fluid seals instead of packers are incapable of meeting this requirement and are therefore not in compliance with the regulations.
Comparisons of high, medium, and low feedback sensitivity for the control of heart-rate acceleration

Thirty-four student volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three feedback sensitivity conditions: high sensitivity, medium sensitivity, or low sensitivity. Each subject received four sessions of biofeedback training with instructions to accelerate heart rate. In each condition, analogue feedback was provided during heart-rate acceleration trials. In addition to heart rate, frontal EMG and digital skin temperature were also recorded. Results replicated and extended the findings of a previous study in that medium and low sensitivity feedback was found to be superior to high sensitivity feedback during the final training session. These results confirm previous findings that a high sensitivity feedback produces very poor control of heart-rate acceleration. These data were discussed in terms of motor skills theory and in terms of possible effects of feedback sensitivity upon the motivation of subjects.
The redox potential of horse heart cytochrome c

Summary The absolute extinction of the 695-nm band of horse heart ferricytochrome c and its redox potentials as a function of urea concentration at pH 7.0 have been measured. The redox potential is found to be independent up to about the 5 M urea concentration, but drops at higher concentrations, reaching a value of about 175 mV in 8 M urea. Changes in the 695-nm band, on the other hand, are indicative of a weak transition centered at about 2.5 M urea concentration and a major asymmetric transition leading to its quenching at about 6.5 M urea. The insensitivity of redox potentials to the transition at 2.5 M, associated with the loosening of the heme crevice (Myer, Y. P. (1968) Biochemistry 7 , 765), clearly demonstrates the unimportance of the integrity of the heme crevice, whereas the drop in potential corresponding to the transition at 6.5 M urea, representing the disruption of the heme coordination and helix coil transition, points to the protein structures as determinants of the high redox potential of the protein. The correlation of the transition profiles further indicates that a process localized toward the high-urea-concentration limb, the disruption of heme coordination, determines the level of the redox potential of this protein.
Induction of DNA damage in human urothelial cells by the brominated flame retardant 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol: Role of oxidative stress

2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propanediol (BMP) is an extensively used brominated flame retardant found in urethane foams and polyester resins. In a 2-year dietary study conducted by the National Toxicology Program, BMP caused neoplastic lesions at multiple sites including the urinary bladder in both rats and mice. The mechanism of its carcinogenic effect is unknown. In the present study, using SV-40 immortalized human urothelial cells (UROtsa), endpoints associated with BMP induced DNA damage and oxidative stress were investigated. The effects of time (1-24h) and concentration (5-100 μM) on BMP induced DNA strand breaks were assessed via the alkaline comet assay. The results revealed evidence of DNA strand breaks at 1 and 3h following incubation of cells with non-cytotoxic concentrations of BMP. Strand breaks were not present after 6h of incubation. Evidences for BMP associated oxidative stress include: an elevation of intracellular ROS formation as well as induction of Nrf2 and HSP70 protein levels. In addition, DNA strand breaks were attenuated when cells were pre-treated with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and oxidative base modifications were revealed when a lesion specific endonuclease, human 8-hydroxyguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) was introduced into the comet assay. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that BMP induces DNA strand breaks and oxidative base damage in UROtsa cells. Oxidative stress is a significant, determinant factor in mediating these DNA lesions. These early genotoxic events may, in part, contribute to BMP-induced carcinogenesis observed in rodents.
Creating the California Substance Abuse Policy Journal: An Evolutionary Process

Abstract This supplementary issue of the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs marks not only what is hoped to be an ongoing series of SARC proceedings but also the first step in the evolutionary process of developing a new substance abuse policy journal. Starting with the production of the SARC biannual proceedings, this new journal will evolve into a quarterly print publication. The traditional print format will later be supported by an on-line backup component that will include not only the SARC proceedings but pertinent materials aimed at providing background material for the development of substance abuse policy.
Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus on the Stethoscopes of Emergency Medical Services Providers

Objective. The investigation seeks to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the stethoscopes of emergency medical services (EMS) providers. While stethos...
Kinetics and mechanism for the H/D exchange between ethylene and deuterium over Pt(111)

The H/D exchange between ethylene and hydrogen (or deuterium) on Pt(111) surfaces was monitored by laser-induced thermal desorption in combination with Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (LITD/FTMS) and by reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). In the case of coadsorbed C 2 D 4 +H 2 the LITD experiments show that the H/D exchange reaction takes place at temperatures as low as 215 K, well below those needed for the decomposition of ethylene to ethylidyne. It was also found that exchange on adsorbed C 2 D 4 is significantly easier with H 2 than with C 2 H 4 , indicating that this H/D substitution requires surface hydrogen but not the dissociation of ethylene, and suggesting that ethyl moieties are the most probable intermediates for the reaction. It was also determined that the dosing order of the reactants influences the kinetics of the reaction, which means that specific surface ensembles are required in the exchange; both the rate and the degree of H/D substitution in ethylene are increased by dosing hydrogen (deuterium) beforehand. In addition to the LITD experiments, the rate of formation of ethylidyne that takes place above 250 K was also monitored with RAIRS. It was shown that, when coadsorbed with deuterium, the extent of deuterium substitution in the resultsing ethylidyne is largely determined by H/D exchange between the original ethylene molecules and surface hydrogen, and that direct H/D exchange between ethylidyne and surface hydrogen is measurable only at low ethylidyne coverages and higher temperatures. Finally, it was established that the rate of ethylidyne formation does not depend on the coverage of hydrogen on the surface, a result that points to an ethylidene intermediate in that reaction. The data are discussed on the basis of a mechanism in which the H/D exchange and ethylidyne formation are parallel processes which involve different surface species.
Follow-up results of distal coronary artery bypass for ischemic heart disease

Abstract Statistically significant late results of coronary artery bypass procedures will be unavailable for 5 to 10 years. This report summarizes a critical analysis of the present status of 480 patients followed up for 1 to 30 months after coronary artery bypass. Thirty-day hospital mortality was 6.2 percent and appears to be declining. Arteriographic studies have shown only 1 of 220 patients without at least 1 functioning graft. Graft occlusions appear to be early and technically oriented and ranged from 11 to 14 percent. Significant symptomatic improvement as determined by cardiologists was observed in 92 percent of patients. According to functional classification there was a striking shift from preoperative New York Heart Association classes II, III, and IV, to class I as a result of improved myocardial blood flow. No degenerative changes in autogenous vein bypass grafts have been observed.
Kinetics of NO Reduction by NH3 over Supported Pt and the Effect of SO2

Kinetics of the catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 over supported Pt were determined in a steady-state flow microreactor. The rate of reaction is satisfactorily described by a single-site Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model involving associative NO adsorption and dissociative NH3 adsorption, with reaction between adsorbed NO and an adsorbed nitrogen fragment appearing to be rate limiting. O2 markedly enhances the rate of reaction. Auger studies indicate that H2S and SO2 form different compounds upon reacting with Pt, Pd and Ni, and the susceptibility of attack by H2S and SO2 increases with Pt 〈 Pd 〈〈 Ni. The rate of NO reduction by NH3 is markedly reduced by very low concentrations of SO2. Pt, Pd, Ru and Ni which show the following activity sequence Pt 〉 Pd 〉〉 Ru 〉 Ni, in the absence of SO2, decrease in activity according to Ru 〉〉 (Pt, Pd, Ni) in the presence of SO2. O2 markedly enhances the rate of NO reduction over Pt in the presence of SO2.
Identification of Each Human Chromosome with a Modified Giemsa Stain

Differential staining of human chromosomes can be obtained when the pH of Giemsa stain is changed to 9.0 from the usual 6.8. Such staining permits identification of all homolog pairs and distinct regions within chromosome arms. In most instances, the pattern is quite similar to that obtained with quinacrine mustard fluorescence staining. Certain regions, such as the paracentric constrictions in chromosomes Al and C9, and the distal end of the long arm of the Y chromosome stain differently with the Giemsa 9 technique. The technique is considerably simpler than the quinacrine mustard fluorescence technique and identification of homologs is also easier than in cells stained by the latter.
Merit by Any Other Name—Refraining the Civil Service First Principle

Merit has traditionally served as the foundation of public human resources management (HRM) policy and practice. Today, the concept is more closely associated with compensation (merit pay) than with values that drive behavior in federal HRM. As the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense struggle to create new HRM systems that promote results-oriented government, the question arises, how does merit inform practice in these new systems? In this article, I identify the values that are influencing federal HRM decision making now and develop a model for merit-based HRM systems in a less regulated environment through a view from three lenses: the historical evolution of the merit concept in American government, how merit is treated in the law, and how merit has been applied in Title-5 exempt organizations. This discussion will help to create HRM policies and practices that are grounded in values that managers and employees can embrace and that translate into behaviors that promote both good relationships and results-oriented performance.
Policy-Aware Service Composition in Sensor Networks

Sensor applications are typically composed of a number of functional components that run distributedly on the nodes of a sensor network, communicating and interacting with one another. Service composition is emerging as a viable approach towards the automatic synthesis of such sensor applications. However, for service composition to be practical, it has to comply with policies that define security and management constraints on the use of these service components and the interconnections amongst them. Prior research efforts have primarily focused on efficient evaluation of security policies during the composition process, which is not sufficient when generic network management constraints need to be expressed and evaluated. In this work, we propose a policy model and evaluation approach that enables us to define and check attribute-based policies, for controlling the sensor service composition process. Attribute-based policies are generic and allows us to express a wider spectrum of constraints than currently possible. Using this model and based on a previously-proposed sensor service composition algorithm, we introduce a policy evaluation method that allows for efficient checking of policy constraints. We further present a novel implementation of the proposed approach in the IBM Sensor Fabric, a middleware framework that simplifies the development of distributed, sensor network services. We also present preliminary performance evaluation results using our prototype.
Resistance of cultured hepatoma cells to copper toxicity. Purification and characterization of the hepatoma metallothionein.

Abstract The mechanism of resistance to the toxic effects of copper was investigated using a series of copper-resistant hepatoma cell lines maintained in copper-enriched medium. Gel electrophpresis of carboxyamidated cell extracts demonstrated the presence of a pair of low molecular mass cysteine-rich proteins in wild-type and resistant cell lines. These proteins were purified to homogeneity and contained approx. 60% of the total cellular copper. Comparisons of molecular masses, p I values and amino-acid compositions for the purified hepatoma proteins with authentic rat liver metallothionein, as well as cross-activity with anti-rat metallothionein antibody, confirmed that the cysteine-rich hepatoma proteins were metallothioneins. The cellular concentration of these hepatoma copper-metallothioneins was proportional to both the level of metal resistance and the amount of copper accumulated by individual cell lines. Further, resistant cells removed from copper-enriched medium for 6–12 months, yet maintaining their level of resistance, showed only a slight decrease in metallothionein concentration. Thus it is proposed that the level of resistance to metal toxicity is mediated by the concentration of copper-metallothionein. It is also suggested that the steady-state level of copper metallothionein is controlled by the degree of metal exposure.
Enhancing CO-water mass transfer by functionalized MCM41 nanoparticles

Organic groups are grafted to ∼250-nm-diameter MCM41 nanoparticles with a spherical morphology to enhance the CO−water volumetric mass-transfer coefficient (kLa) for synthesis gas fermentation. The results indicate that (i) ∼250-nm MCM41 nanoparticles show a higher kLa value than large silica particles (1.4 and 7 μm), (ii) surface hydroxyl groups on MCM41 nanoparticles play an important role in mass-transfer enhancement, (iii) organic groups grafted to MCM41 modify the mass-transfer enhancement, and (iv) mercaptan groups grafted to MCM41 show the most mass-transfer enhancement of ∼1.9 times that of no nanoparticle addition. The CO−water mass-transfer enhancement depends on the interaction between the nanoparticles and the CO molecules, which is influenced by the hydrophobicity of the nanoparticles and the functional group on the nanoparticles.
[Leu31-Pro34] neuropeptide Y identifies a subtype of 125I-labeled peptide YY binding sites in the rat brain.

Abstract Subtypes of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor in the rat brain were identified by the use of the selective Y-1 analog, [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY. In rat brain homogenate binding studies, [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY was found to produce a partial inhibition of 100 pM 125 I-labeled peptide YY (PYY) binding with a plateau at 50 1000 nM [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY resulting in a 70% inhibition of binding. The C-terminal fragment NPY 13–36, a putative Y-2 agonist, exhibited very little selectivity in rat brain homogenates. Scatchard analysis of 125 I-labeled PYY binding to rat brain homogenate yielded biphasic plots with K d values of 40 and 610 pM. Inclusion of 100 nM [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY was found to eliminate the low affinity component of 125 I-labeled PYY binding leaving a single, high affinity binding site with a K d of 68 pM. In autoradiographic studies, displacement curves indicated that [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY completely inhibited binding in the cerebral cortex with little effect on the binding in the hypothalamus. On the other hand NPY 13–36 inhibited binding in the hypothalamus at low concentrations but required higher concentrations to inhibit binding in the cerebral cortex. Other brain regions such as the hippocampus, appeared to contain both subtypes. Subsequent to these studies, a quantitative autoradiographic map was conducted using 50–100 pM 125 I-labeled PYY in the presence and absence of [Leu 31 -Pro 34 ] NPY which produced a selective displacement of binding in certain distinct brain regions. These areas included the cerebral cortex, certain thalamic nuclei and brainstem while ligand binding was retained in other brain regions including the zona lateralis of the substantia nigra, lateral septum, nucleus of the solitary tract and the hippocampus. Numerous brain regions appeared to contain both receptor subtypes. Therefore, the Y-1 and Y-2 receptor subtypes exhibited a somewhat distinct distribution in the brain. In addition, 125 I-labeled PYY appears to label the Y-2 receptor with relatively higher affinity when compared to the Y-1 receptor.
NIF/LMJ prototype amplifier mechanical design

Amplifier prototypes for the National Ignition Facility and the Laser Megajoule will be tested at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The prototype amplifier, which is an ensemble of modules from LLNL and Centre d`Etudes de Limeil-Valenton, is cassette-based with bottom access for maintenance. A sealed maintenance transfer vehicle which moves optical cassettes between the amplifier and the assembly cleanroom, and a vacuum gripper which holds laser slabs during cassette assembly will also be tested. The prototype amplifier will be used to verify amplifier optical performance, thermal recovery time, and cleanliness of mechanical operations.
Efficient solution of EFIE via low-rank compression of multilevel predetermined interactions

This paper describes the predetermined interaction list oct-tree (PILOT) algorithm and its application in expediting the solution of full-wave electric field integral equation (EFIE)-based scattering problems for three-dimensional arbitrarily shaped conductors. PILOT combines features of the fast multipole method (FMM) and QR decomposition-based matrix compression techniques to optimize setup times, solve times, and memory requirements. The method is kernel independent and stable for electrically small structures unlike traditional FMM. The novel features of the algorithm, namely the mixed potential compression scheme and the hierarchical multilevel predetermined matrix structure are explained in detail. A complexity estimate is presented to demonstrate the scaling in time and memory requirements. Examples exhibiting the accuracy and the time and memory performances are also presented. Finally, a quantitative study is included to address the expected but gradual degradation of QR-based compression techniques for electrically large structures.
Evaluation of an enhanced human-robot interface

A human-robot interface for a mobile robot was extended to include a discrete geodesic dome called a Sensory EgoSphere (SES) The SES is a two-dimensional data structure, centered on the robot's coordinate frame. The SES provides the robot's perspective of a remote environment via images, sonar, and laser range finder representations. It was proposed that the SES would enhance the general interface usability by decreasing perceived workload and increasing situational awareness. A human factors evaluation was performed to evaluate the established hypothesis. Novice users participated in the evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the evaluation results.
Motor Variability during Sustained Contractions Increases with Cognitive Demand in Older Adults

To expose cortical involvement in age-related changes in motor performance, we compared steadiness (force fluctuations) and fatigability of submaximal isometric contractions with the ankle dorsiflexor muscles in older and young adults and with varying levels of cognitive demand imposed. Sixteen young (20 ± 2 yr: 8 men, 8 women) and 17 older adults (69 ±4 yr: 9 men, 8 women) attended three sessions and performed a 40 s isometric contraction at 5% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force followed by an isometric contraction at 30% MVC until task failure. The cognitive demand required during the submaximal contractions in each session differed as follows: 1) high-cognitive demand session where difficult mental math was imposed (counting backward by 13 from a 4-digit number); 2) low-cognitive demand session which involved simple mental math (counting backward by one); and 3) control session with no mental math. Anxiety was elevated during the high-cognitive demand session compared with other sessions for both age groups but more so for the older adults than young adults (p0.05), but the variability between sessions (standard deviation [SD] of 3 sessions) was greater for older adults than young (2.02 ± 1.05 min vs. 1.25 ± 0.51 min, P<0.05). Thus, variability in lower limb motor performance for low and moderate force isometric tasks increased with age and was exacerbated when cognitive demand was imposed, and may be related to modulation of synergist and antagonist muscles and an altered neural strategy with age originating from central sources. These data have significant implications for cognitively demanding low-force motor tasks that are relevant to functional and ergonomic in an aging workforce.
24-Bit 5.0 GHz Direct Digital Synthesizer RFIC With Direct Digital Modulations in 0.13 $\mu$ m SiGe BiCMOS Technology

This paper presents a 24-bit 5.0 GHz ultrahigh-speed direct digital synthesizer (DDS) with direct digital modulation capabilities used in a pulse compression radar. This design represents the first DDS RFIC in over-GHz output frequency range with direct digital modulation capabilities. It adopts a ROM-less architecture and has the capabilities for direct digital frequency and phase modulation with 24 bit and 12 bit resolution, respectively. The DDS includes a 24-bit ripple carry adder (RCA) accumulator for phase accumulation, a 12-bit RCA for phase modulation and a 10-bit segmented sine-weighted digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for phase-to-amplitude conversion (PAC) as well as digital-to-analog conversion. The DDS core occupies 3.0 × 2.5 mm2 and consumes 4.7 W of power with a single 3.3 V power supply. This 24-bit DDS has more than 20,000 transistors and achieves a maximum clock frequency of 5.0 GHz. The measured worst case SFDR is 45 dBc under a 5.0 GHz clock frequency and within a 50 MHz bandwidth. At 1.246258914 GHz output frequency, the 50 MHz narrowband SFDR is measured as 82 dBc. The best Nyquist band SFDR is 38 dBc with a 469.360351 MHz output using a 5.0 GHz clock frequency. This DDS was developed in a 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology with fT/fMAX = 200/250 GHz and tested in a CLCC-68 package.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis

Background:Cross-sectional investigation between presence of antibodies and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in past studies has shown no relationship, but progression over time has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies and progression of CAC and ankle–brachial index (ABI).Design:The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a prospective population-based cohort of racially and ethnically diverse male and female participants recruited from six communities in the USA, age 45–84 years, free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline.Methods:The main outcomes were progression of mean CAC and ABI between exams 1 (2000–02) and 3 (2004–05) (median follow-up of 3.13 years) by C. pneumoniae antibody. Multivariate models adjusting for demographics, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity were computed.Results:Of 2223 subjects analysed, 76% were positive for C. pneumoniae antibodies. Progressi...
Studies of beam induced dipole-mode signals in accelerating structures at the SLC

Beam emittance dilution by self induced transverse fields (wakefields) in accelerating structures is a key problem in linear accelerators. To minimize the wakefield effects the beam trajectory must be precisely centered within the structures. An efficient way to achieve this is to detect beam induced microwave signals in the lowest dipole mode band and to steer the beam by minimizing these signals. This paper briefly covers some experiences from SLC S-band structures, but mainly concentrates on results of a wakefield instrumentation scheme applied to a NLC prototype X-band structure and tested with beam in the SLC linac. A beam based in-situ structure straightness measurement is shown as well as results of beam steering experiments based on phase and amplitude detection of two separated modes in the structure. After centering the beam the reduction of the wakefield was demonstrated independently by probing it with a test bunch that is deflected by the residual wakefield at a short distance behind the drive bunch.
Effect of level of protein intake on calcium metabolism and on parathyroid and renal function in the adult human male.

Mechanisms involved in the hypercalciuria caused by high levels of protein intake were investigated. Six healthy males participated in a 20-day metabolic study. During the first 10-day period, all subjects were given a 47 g protein diet and during the second 10-day period, a 142 g protein diet. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus intakes were kept con stant at 515, 320 and 1,110 mg daily, respectively. Urinary calcium was elevated significantly when the protein intake was increased. Glomerular filtration rate and calcium clearance were increased significantly when the high protein diet was fed; the fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium was decreased from 98.4 to 97.49f. Thus, the increase in urinary calcium caused by the high protein diet appears to be due in part to an increase in the filtered load of calcium by the glomeruli and in part to a decrease in calcium reabsorption by the renal tubules. The level of protein intake had no effect on the fasting serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, total calcium, magnesium or inorganic phosphorus or plasma ultrafiltrable cal cium. J. Nutr. 109: 1399-1404, 1979.
Membrane Phosphoinositides Control Insulin Secretion Through Their Effects on ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Activity

ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (K(ATP) channels) of pancreatic beta-cells play key roles in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by linking metabolic signals to cell excitability. Membrane phosphoinositides, in particular phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP(2)), stimulate K(ATP) channels and decrease channel sensitivity to ATP inhibition; as such, they have been postulated as critical regulators of K(ATP) channels and hence of insulin secretion in beta-cells. Here, we tested this hypothesis by manipulating the interactions between K(ATP) channels and membrane phospholipids in a beta-cell line, INS-1, and assessing how the manipulations affect membrane excitability and insulin secretion. We demonstrate that disruption of channel interactions with PIP(2) by overexpressing PIP(2)-insensitive channel subunits leads to membrane depolarization and elevated basal level insulin secretion at low glucose concentrations. By contrast, facilitation of channel interactions with PIP(2) by upregulating PIP(2) levels via overexpression of a lipid kinase, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinase, decreases the ATP sensitivity of endogenous K(ATP) channels by approximately 26-fold and renders INS-1 cells hyperpolarized, unable to secrete insulin properly in the face of high glucose. Our results establish an important role of the interaction between membrane phosphoinositides and K(ATP) channels in regulating insulin secretion.
Single-row suture anchor repair of the rotator cuff is biomechanically equivalent to double-row repair in a bovine model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine biomechanical differences in cyclic elongation and ultimate strength between double-row rotator cuff repair and single-row repair for partial rotator cuff repairs. Methods: We randomly assigned 18 immature bovine specimens (aged 12 to 16 weeks) to 3 repair groups (6 per group). A 1 × 2–cm defect was created at the infraspinatus tendon insertion site. Two suture anchors were implanted 1 cm apart at the anatomic insertion area for the lateral row. Two suture anchors were implanted 1 cm medial to the lateral row and 1 cm apart from each other for the medial row. Repair groups were constructed as follows: single-row repair with double-loaded suture anchors (group 1), double-row repair with single-loaded medial row and double-loaded lateral row (group 2), and double-row repair with single-loaded medial row and single-loaded lateral row (group 3). Specimens were cyclically loaded from 10 N to 90 N for 500 cycles and then loaded at 0.5 mm/s to failure. Data for cyclic elongation, with loads at 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm, were analyzed via a 1-way analysis of variance ( P Results: There were no significant differences for peak elongation after cyclic loading between groups. There were no significant differences between repair groups for loads at 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm of elongation. Constructs typically failed by knot slippage (83%), with a single sample having tendon-suture failure (17%). Conclusions: Double-row repair did not show a biomechanical advantage compared with single-row repair. With this result in mind, the theoretic advantage of a potentially larger footprint must be balanced against the added surgical time, complexity, and cost of double-row repair. Clinical Relevance: Arthroscopic surgeons should choose the best form of fixation for a given patient, without undue emphasis on single-row repair versus double-row repair. The clinical and biologic impact of footprint restoration was not addressed in this study.
Monitoring phases and phase transitions in phosphatidylethanolamine monolayers using active interfacial microrheology.

Active interfacial microrheology is a sensitive tool to detect phase transitions and headgroup order in phospholipid monolayers. The re-orientation of a magnetic nickel nanorod is used to explore changes in the surface rheology of 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DLPE) and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE), which differ by two CH2 groups in their alkyl chains. Phosphatidylethanolamines such as DLPE and DMPE are a major component of cell membranes in bacteria and in the nervous system. At room temperature, DLPE has a liquid expanded (LE) phase for surface pressure, Π < ∼38 mN m−1; DMPE has an LE phase for Π < ∼7 mN m−1. In their respective LE phases, DLPE and DMPE show no measurable change in surface viscosity with Π, consistent with a surface viscosity <10−9 N s m−1, the resolution of our technique. However, there is a measurable, discontinuous change in the surface viscosity at the LE to liquid condensed (LC) transition for both DLPE and DMPE. This discontinuous change is correlated with a significant increase in the surface compressibility modulus (or isothermal two-dimensional bulk modulus). In the LC phase of DMPE there is an exponential increase in surface viscosity with Π consistent with a two-dimensional free area model. The second-order LC to solid (S) transition in DMPE is marked by an abrupt onset of surface elasticity; there is no measurable elasticity in the LC phase. A measurable surface elasticity in the S phase suggests a change in the molecular ordering or interactions of the DMPE headgroups that is not reflected in isotherms or in grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. This onset of measurable elasticity is also seen in DLPE, even though no indication of a LC–S transition is visible in the isotherms.
Effects of chronic D-amphetamine and phenylethylamine on the concentrations of neurotransmitter amino acids in the rat brain

Rats were treated acutely and chronically with D-amphetamine or phenylethylamine. Following the treatments, the concentrations of amino acids in the hypothalamus and caudate nucleus were measured from prederivatized tissue extracts using reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Acute amphetamine slightly decreased the caudate glutamine concentration, and chronic treatment for 10 days increased caudate aspartate content. Chronic phenylethylamine enhanced the taurine content, both in caudate and hypothalamus. No significant changes were observed in the concentrations of glutamate, GABA or alanine. The results indicate that these two stimulants can modify the brain metabolism of certain neuroactive amino acids in addition to the metabolism of catecholamines. The specific effect of chronic phenylethylamine on taurine concentration suggests an adaptive response of taurine-containing cells to repeated administrations of phenylethylamine.
Managing Security and Privacy Integration across Enterprise Business Process and Infrastructure

Managing information security and privacy assurance are fiduciary responsibilities of all government and commercial organizations, but standing up a comprehensive fully-assured environment from the onset may be technically or financially impossible. Many organizations inadequately address this challenge from a 'bottom-up' or piece-meal perspective, certifying and accrediting individual systems or focusing on perimeter systems and portals. A systematic enterprise-wide risk-management approach to information security and privacy is both practical and economically feasible, but must holistically integrate such requirements into both business process management and the technical infrastructure to be effective. The authors' development of the roadmap for information security across the enterprise (RISE) methodology establishes a systematic approach to security and privacy management by leveraging enterprise architecture approaches, and ensures implementation control by integrating the processes and responsibility with enterprise-level portfolio management. RISE defines an iterative threat assessment and response cycle and integrates it with capital planning and investment control (CPIC) for both operational and infrastructure initiatives. This paper describes how RISE ensures risk-informed continuous process improvement and capital planning by maintaining an architecturally founded knowledge base supporting strategic planning and investment review.
Interactions between hematopoietic growth factors: the clinical role of combination biotherapy.

The Frederick Stohlman Memorial Lectures have, over the years, reflected the progression of leukemia research in areas initially thought to be as diverse as retrovirology/oncogenes, chemotherapy/immunotherapy, and hematopoietic growth factors. At the Seventh Wilsede Meeting we heard how convergent these areas were. The polypeptide growth factors which affect lymphohematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation have expanded to at least 11 distinct gene products with pleiotropic and overlapping functions (G-, GM-, M-CSF, erythropoietin, and interleukins 1–7 [1], The early characterization of hematopoietic growth factors was based on their ability to stimulate the clonal proliferation of human bone marrow progenitor cells. In addition, these factors were shown to activate a variety of functions of mature lymphoid and hematopoietic cells.
Mutational evidence that the Arabidopsis MAP kinase MPK6 is involved in anther, inflorescence, and embryo development

Loss-of-function, dominant-negative, and change-of-function genetic approaches were used to investigate the role played by the Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase MPK6 throughout development. Plants homozygous for T-DNA null alleles of MPK6 displayed reduced male fertility and abnormal anther development. In addition, a portion of the seed produced by mpk6 plants was found to contain embryos that had burst out of their seed coats. To address potential functional redundancy, a dominant-negative version of MPK6 was constructed by changing the TEY activation loop motif to the amino acid sequence AEF. Plants expressing MPK6AEF via the MPK6 native promoter were found to produce excessive stomata, consistent with the recently described role of MPK6 in stomatal patterning. A novel floral phenotype characterized by abnormal sepal development was also observed in MPK6AEF lines. The gene expression pattern of the MPK6 native promoter was determined using a YFP-MPK6 fusion construct, and expression was observed throughout most plant tissues, consistent with a role for MPK6 in multiple developmental processes. The YFP-MPK6 construct was found to rescue the fertility phenotype of mpk6 null alleles, indicating that the fusion protein retains its biological activity. It was also observed, however, that plants expressing YFP-MPK6 displayed reduced apical dominance and a shortening of inflorescence internodes. These results suggest that the YFP tag modifies the activity of MPK6 in a manner that affects inflorescence development but not anther development. Taken together, the present results indicate that MPK6 is involved in the regulation of multiple aspects of plant development.
The SMART approach for software process engineering

Describes a methodology for software process engineering and an environment, SMART, that supports it. SMART supports a process life-cycle that includes the modeling, analysis, and execution of software processes. SMART's process monitoring capabilities can be used to provide feedback from the process execution to the process model. SMART represents the integration of three separately developed process mechanisms, and it uses two modeling formalisms (object-oriented data representation and imperative-style programming language) to bridge the gap between process modeling, analysis, and execution. SMART demonstrates the meta-environment concept, using a process modeling formalism as input specification to a generator that produces process-centered software engineering environments (PSEEs). Furthermore, SMART supports a team-oriented approach for process modeling, analysis, and execution. >
Protection without Capture: Product Approval by a Politically Responsive, Learning Regulator

When policy arrangements appear to favor well-organized and wealthy interests, should we infer “capture” of the political process? In particular, might larger firms receive regulatory “protection” even when the regulatory agency is not captured by producers? I model regulatory approval—product approval, licensing, permitting and grant making—as a repeated optimal stopping problem faced by a learning regulator subject to variable political pressure. The model is general but stylistically applied to pharmaceutical regulation. Under the assumption that consumers are differentially organized, but producers are not, there nonetheless exist two forms of “protection” for larger, older producers. First, firms submitting more applications may expect quicker and more likely approvals, even in cases where their reputations for safety are below industry average. Second, “early entrants” to an exclusive market niche (disease) receive shorter expected approval times than later entrants, even when later entrants offer known quality improvements. The findings extend to cases of bounded rationality and a reduced form of endogenous firm submissions. The model shows that even interest-neutral “consumer” regulation can generate protectionist outcomes, and that commonly adduced evidence for capture is often observationally equivalent to evidence for other models of regulation.
Potential Demand Shift and Its Impact on Technological Implementation in International Telecommunications

Preliminary thoughts on the effect a shift in demand type from voice to video bandwidths may have on international communications are presented. Given that a demand may evolve for point to point video, or high capacity data transmission, some potential impacts on technological implementation of transmission means are raised and their possible effects on industry structure mentioned.