cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave decalcification of human temporal bones

Objectives/Hypothesis Morphological and immunohistochemical studies of human temporal bones are challenging as a result of difficulties in obtaining reliably fi-ed specimens and the lengthy time required for decalcification, typically 4 to 7 months. A novel method of processing human temporal bones using a microwave oven to accelerate decalcification is described. This procedure provides a rapid means of decalcifying temporal bones with good preservation of tissue morphology and antigenicity. Methods Human temporal bone specimens obtained at autopsy (n = 12, from specimens aged 43–91 y) were fixed within 6.5 hours of death by transtympanic perilymphatic perfusion of the inner ear. Decalcification was carried out using ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) in a microwave oven and required only 3 to 6 weeks. Specimens were then dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and mounted on slides for morphological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Results Microscopic e-amination revealed no obvious artifacts attributable to the microwave decalcification process. The quality of morphological preservation was largely dependent on the postmortem fi-ation interval and adequacy of perilymphatic perfusion. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated strong positive staining for the enzyme Na,K-ATPase, an integral membrane protein. Conclusions This study demonstrates that microwave decalcification provides an efficient and reliable means of processing human temporal bones for histological and histochemical e-amination. Decalcification time is significantly reduced with no apparent adverse effects on structural preservation or antigenicity.
On the number of k-realizations of an ordered set

A k-realization of an ordered set P is a sequence of k linear orderings of the underlying set of P, whose intersection is (the order relation of) P. We determine the status of the number of k-realizations with respect to comparability invariance, and we show that among all orders on the set {1, 2, ..., n}, the antichain has the most k-realizations, for any k>1. The latter intuitively reasonable result rests ultimately on an observation related to comparability invariance for numbers of linear extensions.
Preeclampsia and Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1

The pathogenesis of the pregnancy complication preeclampsia remains incompletely resolved. Nevertheless, defective remodeling of the maternal vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the placenta is recognized as the root cause in most (all) cases (1). Furthermore, the translation of this reduced perfusion into the maternal syndrome, diagnosed by increased blood pressure and proteinuria but consisting of multisystemic organ dysfunction, involves abnormal function of vascular endothelium (2). The clinical changes of preeclampsia are reversed when the placenta is delivered. Several years ago, these findings led Karumanchi and his group (3) to search for aberrant expression of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in placentas of women with preeclampsia. Angiogenic factors both stimulate angiogenesis and appear necessary for maintenance of endothelial health and integrity (4). In 2003, the Karumanchi group (3) reported that the placentas of women with preeclampsia strikingly over express a soluble receptor for the angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor. The soluble receptor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt1) acts as an antagonist of VEGF and placental growth factor by binding and sequestering these growth factors from interaction with their receptors Flt1 and Flk1. They also demonstrated that the circulating concentration of sFlt1 was strikingly elevated in pregnancy and even more so in preeclampsia. Furthermore, overexpressing this receptor in rats resulted in a preeclampsia-like syndrome (3). Subsequently, it was found that sFlt1 was increased weeks before clinically evident preeclampsia, supporting a role in pathogenesis and raising the hope for a predictor of preeclampsia (5).
Electron Excitation of Particle-Hole States in C 12

Abstract : Theoretical and experimental results are given for electron excitation of particle-hole states in Carbon 12. (Author)
On the analysis of pollen-climate canonical transfer functions

Abstract Canonical correlation analysis, as described by Webb and Bryson, Quaternary Research 1972, provides a means of reconstructing past climates quantitatively from fossil pollen using a pollen-climate transfer function. This paper presents a method for analysis of variance of the transfer function model. This method is used to identify ecological relationships among the pollen and climate variables, to select climatically sensitive taxa, and to investigate the importance of site factors. Several criteria are presented, in addition to those used by Webb and Bryson, for choosing canonical variate pairs to include in the transfer function model, namely: the variate pair relationships should be ecologically meaningful; the transfer function model should yield stable paleoclimatic estimates; and, the variate pair relationships should be statistically meaningful. The application of these criteria to the set of variate pairs used in the transfer function model of Webb and Bryson is described and modifications are suggested.
Streamlined models of dementia care mapping.

Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) is an observational tool that provides rich data about the quality of life and quality of care of persons with dementia in group care settings. The method is time-consuming and thus costly to implement in practice. This paper presents an attempt to ‘streamline’ DCM for the sake of simplifying it and reducing the financial resources required to implement it. Data were collected for 166 persons with dementia in three types of care settings. Seven streamlined time-sampling models were tested against the original DCM model. In general, results support the use of certain models for specific purposes. The strengths and limitations of these streamlined models are discussed and recommendations are made.
Calculated Hubbard interaction in the neutral MX chain systems

Abstract We have performed first-principles local-density-approximation (LDA) electronic-structure calculations of the of the neutral MX chain compounds and fitted their band structures to a two-band tight-binding Hamiltonia. Using two slightly different approaches based on constrained occupancies in the Kohn-Sham LDA, we have calculated from first principles the Hubbard parameters for the neutral halogen-bridged transition-metal (MX) linear chain systems (M  Ni or Pt, and X  Cl, Br, or I). For PtX (XCl, Br) the Pt onsite U is almost three times larger than the PtX hopping integral, and is almost twice as large for the NiX compounds, which are very strongly correlated and are likely to have a spin-density-wave or antiferromagnetic ground state.
The effects of role-playing high gender identification on the California psychological inventory

This study of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) demonstrates that subjects can alter significantly their CPI profiles through role-playing high gender identification, i.e., males attempt to appear more masculine and women attempt to appear more feminine. The majority of these subjects did so without being detected by the validity scales designed to detect faking good or bad. Thirty-two volunteers, 16 male and 16 female, participated as subjects. A 2 X 2 ANOVA (subject gender by instructions to role-play vs. standard instructions) design was used. A significant main effect (p less than .01) for instructions was found on 14 of 18 scales and a significant interaction effect (p less than .01) on 4 of 18 scales. The profiles from the role-playing subjects indicate that the stereotypes of both genders, as seen by these subjects, are maladaptive. Implications for practical application of these findings are discussed.
Salt bridge for field redox potential measurements

Abstract Conventional redox potential measurements in the field frequently become erratic during the summer season due to low moisture contents in the surface soil. A KCl‐salt bridge which circumvents this problem was designed for in situ, long‐term, nondestructive redox determinations in the subsoil. Measurements are rapid, and redox values are not affected by the use of the salt bridge, irrespective of depth of measurement.
Diastereoselective Intramolecular C−H bond Activation by Optically Active Tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate Complexes of Rhodium

Results are reported of photolyses of rhodium dicarbonyl complexes of C3-symmetric TpMenth and TpMementh ligands that illustrate the capability of these scorpionates to exhibit a high degree of regio- and stereocontrol in reactions involving intramolecular attack of ligand substituent C−H bonds. The starting material TpMenthRh(CO)2 was found to contain an η2-TpMenth ligand in the solid state by X-ray crystallography but was shown to be an interconverting mixture of η2 and η3 forms in toluene solution by IR and NMR spectroscopy. A mechanism for the fluxionality based on one previously suggested for achiral systems was supported by line shape analysis of VT-NMR data. Irradiation of TpMenthRh(CO)2 under a N2 purge in a variety of solvents resulted in the generation of an 85:15 mixture of diastereomeric alkyl hydrides resulting from intramolecular cyclometalation reactions involving the methyl substituents on the ligand isopropyl group. Analysis of two-dimensional NMR data (DQ-COSY, NOESY, HMQC, TOCSY spectra...
Determination of Descriptors for Plasticizers by Chromatography and Liquid–Liquid Partition

Retention factors on a minimum of eight stationary phases at various temperatures by gas–liquid chromatography and in acetonitrile–water and methanol–water mobile phases by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on a Synergi Polar-RP column were combined with further values taken from the literature and liquid–liquid partition coefficients for up to eight totally organic biphasic systems to estimate descriptors for 24 esters (phthalate, oleate, stearate, arbietate, adipate, succinate, sebacate, and diethylmalonate) widely used as plasticizers and solvents in industry. The descriptors facilitated the estimation of several properties of environmental interest (octanol–water, air–octanol, and air–water partition coefficients, and soil–water distribution coefficients, vapor pressure, and water solubility). The descriptors are suitable for use in the solvation parameter model and facilitate the estimation of a wide range of physicochemical, chromatographic, biological, and environmental properties using existing models.
Current status of the role of hydrogen in stress corrosion cracking

Abstract It has often been suggested that hydrogen plays an essential role in certain stress corrosion cracking processes. The latest experimental and theoretical work has provided somewhat different perspectives on this problem and on ways of generalizing the role of hydrogen, most notably in aluminum and stainless steel alloys. The generalization involves the mutual occurrence of both hydrogen embrittlement and dissolution processes. Problems with this generalization and requirements for future work are also identified.
Fused Salt Polarography Using a Dropping Bismuth Cathode

An apparatus that is suitable to study fused chlorides by the polarographic technique is described. Dropping bismuth is used in a way analogous to dropping mercury. Polarographic waves are shown for PbCl/sub 2/, ZnCl/sub 2/, and CdCl/sub 2/ in a LiCl-KCl eutectic melt at 450 deg C. The method serves as an analytical tool at high temperatures and also yields physicochemical information such as diffusion coefficients by application of the Ilkovic equation. (auth)
Transform-codes of images with reduced complexity

Abstract A new discrete trigonometric transform called the scrambled real discrete Fourier transform (SRDFT) is developed for transform coding of images. SRDFT has basically the same visual performance and minimal edge-effect artifacts as the discrete cosine transfrm (DCT0. In addition, SRDFT has much lower complexity in terms of number of operations, especially multiplications. Both theoretical issues and experimental results are discussed.
The Compleat Angler: Aggressive Mimicry in an Antennariid Anglerfish

A case of aggressive mimicry is described in which an anglerfish of the genus Antennarius (order Lophiiformes) utilizes a lure that mimics a small fish. The lure provides not only a highly attractive visual cue but presumably also a low-frequency pressure stimulus for potential prey with a minimum of energy expenditure.
The Views of Marketing Recruiters, Alumni and Students about Curriculum and Course Structure

There is a general lack of information regarding the most appropriate manner of structuring marketing curricula and courses. This article reports the results of a survey of marketing recruiters, al...
The role of nicotine and nicotinic mechanisms in neuropsychiatric disease

Cigarette smoking, and by implication nicotine, may be involved as a negative or positive risk factor in some neuropsychiatric disorders and possibly as a treatment in others. Nicotine exposure may be a negative risk factor for the development of Parkinson's disease, but a positive risk factor for the development of tardive dyskinesia. For Alzheimer's disease and Tourette's syndrome, the role of nicotine exposure is equivocal, however, the role of nicotine as a possible therapeutic agent, alone or in combination, remains an intriguing question. For functional psychiatric disorders, the data are suggestive of a link between tobacco use and at least exacerbation of some disorders. While nicotine exposure is unlikely to be critical in the genesis of these disorders, it may complicate the pharmacological therapeutics and long-term prognosis. Further research is needed to examine the actual importance of tobacco use in behavioural disturbances. The relative importance of central nicotinic mechanisms in normal and disordered human cognition and movement is now beginning to be fully explored.
Endothelial activation following prolonged hypobaric hypoxia.

Prolonged exposure to low oxygen may induce adaptive changes which can be either beneficial or deleterious to cell survival. We examined the effect of prolonged moderate hypobaric hypoxia on CNS endothelial cell (EC) function. Exposure to hypoxia resulted in expression of EC activation markers, the cell surface adhesion proteins intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. Induction of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule as well as increased constitutive expression of the transferrin receptor and the glucose transporter-1 protein was also detected within 24 h of exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. Constitutive expression of the MHC class I molecule increased by 48 h. Expression of most EC activation markers increased with time from 0 to 2 weeks. By 3 weeks of exposure to hypobaric hypoxia, ECs returned to their quiescent state with the exception of sustained expression of E-selectin and elevated glut-1. Little to no significant increase in expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was seen at any time period.
Responsible Leadership: Theoretical Issues and Research Directions

This article serves as an overview of the articles included in this symposium as well as a consideration of how the topic of responsible leadership can be framed in terms of research directions. Specifically, we focus on how the included articles bring attention to the theoretical divergence within the literature. To help address the variations of responsible leadership theories, we identify five areas in need of further research: (1) responsible leadership processes and outcomes, (2) stakeholder priorities, (3) training and development, (4) globalization and macro-level forces, and (5) measurement and assessment. In our discussion of each area, we elaborate by referring to other articles in the symposium, and we provide examples of specific issues that challenge responsible leadership research and implementation. Additionally, because responsible leadership concerns both the micro and macro levels of analysis, our discussion considers individuals, groups, and organizations.
The Future of Gerontological Social Work: What We Know and What We Don't Know about Student Interest in the Field

As baby boomers age, social work leaders predict there will be a significant shortage of gerontological social workers to care for the older population. Research to explore this predicted shortage has focused on reasons why social work students do not appear interested in working with the older population. Most reasons cluster around three broad research constructs that include: (a) attitudes toward the older population, (b) knowledge about the older population, and (c) personal and professional experience with the older population. In this article the author presents a systematic review of current research to determine what we do and do not know about social work student interest in working with the older population.
HLA polymorphisms and T cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

A dense infiltrate of activated T cells, macrophages, and B cells in the synovial membrane is the cardinal pathological feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Frequently, tissue infiltrating cells acquire a morphological organization reminiscent of secondary lymphoid tissue. The composition of the inflammatory lesions, the production of autoantibodies, and the association of disease risk with genes related to the HLA-D region have all been cited as evidence for a critical role of T cells in disease pathogenesis. Investigations on the precise role of HLA genes in RA have confirmed the importance of this genetic risk factor and have identified a consensus sequence within the HLA-DRB1 genes. The observation that HLA polymorphisms are mostly associated with disease progression and severity and that a gene dose effect for HLA-DR genes is operational has challenged the simple model that HLA molecules select and present an arthritogenic antigen. Studies analyzing the repertoire of tissue infiltrating T cells have...
A System for Retrieving and Processing Data from Balloons at High Altitudes

A system was developed to transfer digital nuclear data and position control data from a high altitude balloon to earth for experiment control and monitoring purposes. The system was designed to be operated and maintained by personnel without access to, or familiarity with more complex military-aerospace telemetry data systems. Low cost, accessibility to the equipment and versatility are emphasized. Simple interfaces connect varied data sources and monitoring instruments to standard transfer units on the balloon and on the ground. A multiplexer-interface was designed to transfer data, recorded during a balloon flight, from a magnetic tape to a small computer which produces an IBM-compatible tape suitable for analysis by a large computer.
Active transport of D-xylose in the isolated small intestine of the bullfrog.

Fluxes of D-xylose-1-C14 (xylose) across the wall of the isolated intestine of the bullfrog were studied. When sodium was the principal cation in the mucosal bathing fluid, the transport rate of xylose from the mucosa to the serosa was about 5 times greater than the transport rate from the serosa to the mucosa, indicating an active intestinal transport for this sugar. With potassium as the principal cation on the mucosal side, the transport rate of xylose from the mucosal to the serosal compartment is reduced about 5 to 6 times without appreciable change in the serosal to mucosal transport. The asymmetry was also considerably reduced when ouabain was added to the mucosal and serosal compartments. The data confirm the in vitro and in vivo observations indicating active transport of xylose and are also in accord with the earlier findings that active transport of sugars in the intestine is dependent upon the presence of sodium ions in the mucosal compartment and is inhibited by cardioactive steroids. Since the chemical constitution of xylose does not meet the requirements which were hitherto considered necessary for active transport of sugars in the intestine, this structural requirement has to be revised.
Effects Of Water Reflectance At 670 Nm On Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) Aerosol Radiance Estimates Off The Coast Of Central California

An algorithm is presented and evaluated for estimating water radiance at 670 nm in CZCS images of highly reflective eddies and other oceanic features in the upwelling region of the California Current System. Such an estimate is necessary for proper atmospheric correction of CZCS images over such water masses. In the present algorithm, the measured signal at 670 nm (less the Rayleigh component) is partitioned between L(670) and L,(670) by iterative adjustment until phytoplankton pigment concentrations calculated with The ratios of water radiances at 443 and 550 nm agree reasonably well with those calculated using the ratio of water radiances at 520 and 550 nm. Optical depths estimated using this algorithm with CZCS data agree well with nearly concurrent in situ measurements, and in an example where apparent aerosol radiance patterns correlate with obviously oceanic features, the algorithm performs well but appears to overestimate Lw(670) slightly .
Price and quantity competition yield the same location equilibria in a circular market

. Gupta et al. (2004) shows that in a circular market under spatial Cournot discrimination, the location equilibria can be categorised into several patterns. This paper proves that, given the same number of firms producing differentiated products, one location pattern constitutes an equilibrium in price competition if and only if it constitutes an equilibrium in quantity competition. That is, the location equilibrium is irrelevant to whether the firms compete with each other on quantities or prices.
Efficiencies for window estimates of the parameters of the Cauchy distribution

Higgins and Tichenor [Appl. Math. and Comp. 3 (1977), 113-126] considered ''window estimates'' of location and reciprocal scale parameters for a general class of distributions and showed them to be asymptotically efficient for the Cauchy distribution. In this study, efficiencies of these estimates for the Cauchy distribution are investigated for small and moderate sample sizes by Monte Carlo methods. For n>=40, window estimates of location are nearly optimal, and for n>=20, they compare favorably with other easy-to-compute estimates. Window estimates of reciprocal scale are very good even for small samples and are nearly optimal for n>=10. Thus, window estimates appear to have high efficiency for moderate as well as large sample sizes. Approximate normality is also investigated. The estimate of location converges rapidly to normality, whereas the estimate of reciprocal scale does not.
Piperidine hydrogenolysis on a commercial hydrocracking catalyst. II. The Effects of Initial Piperidine Concentration, Temperature, Catalyst Presulfidation, and Hydrogen Partial Pressure on Catalyst Activity, Deactivation, and Coke Formation

The formation of coke in the piperidine hydrogenolysis reaction over a fresh sulfided hydrocracking catalyst was examined at temperatures ranging from 281 to 321 C, hydrogen partial pressures of 11.2 to 15.9 atm (1.1 to 1.6 MPa), and initial concentrations of piperidine of 3.94 [times] 10[sup [minus]3] to 11.84 [times] 10[sup [minus]3]g mol/liter using elemental analysis, [sup 13]C NMR spectroscopy, and ESCA. The results indicated that most of the coke present on the catalyst after 17 h on stream was deposited in the initial 90 min of the reaction. Coke formation and hence catalyst deactivation were found to increase with both reaction temperature and initial concentration of piperidine. Reducing the catalyst instead of sulfiding it had no effect on the final coke content. Nitrogen was found to be present on the catalyst surface after reaction indicating that nitrogen-containing compound were participating in the formation of coke. The H/C ratio of the coke decreased very slowly with reaction time and was invariant to changes in temperature, initial concentration of piperidine, or catlayst pretreatment method. Comparing the activity of reduced versus sulfided fresh catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of piperidine, it was found that under the present conditions, catalyst presulfidation increased the activitymore » of the metallic catalyst function and decreased the rate of catalyst deactivation. Furthermore, decreasing the partial pressure of hydrogen resulted in an activity decrease of the metallic catalyst function and had a negative effect on the overall catalyst activity maintenance. The intrinsic activity of the acidic catalyst function was not affected by the change in hydrogen partial pressure.« less
Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of enoxaparin : implications for clinical practice.

Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) that differs substantially from unfractionated heparin (UFH) in its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. Some of the pharmacodynamic features of enoxaparin that distinguish it from UFH are a higher ratio of anti-Xa to anti-IIa activity, more consistent release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor, weaker interactions with platelets and less inhibition of bone formation. Enoxaparin has a higher and more consistent bioavailability after subcutaneous administration than UFH, a longer plasma half-life and is less strongly bound to plasma proteins. These properties mean that enoxaparin provides a more reliable anticoagulant effect without the need for laboratory monitoring, and also offers the convenience of once-daily administration. Clinical studies have confirmed that these pharmacological advantages translate into improved outcomes. There are important pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between enoxaparin, other LMWHs and UFH, and therefore these molecules cannot be regarded as interchangeable.
Acculturation and Family Functioning Are Related to Health Risks Among Pregnant Mexican American Women

The authors examined the independent and interactive effects of acculturation status and family cohesiveness on a series of psychosocial and medical risk factors of pregnancy among 500 women of Mexican origin. In general, both higher and lower levels of acculturation produced positive or negative psychosocial and healthcare consequences, and the operative relationships depended heavily on the particular outcome chosen. Higher levels of family cohesiveness tended to foster the most constructive health and psychosocial outcomes. However, in some circumstances higher levels of family cohesiveness resulted in less coping and a lower quality of prenatal care for less acculturated women. An important implication of this study is that psychosocial and health information can be obtained through assessments that identify different subgroups of Mexican American women and depend on women's level of acculturation and family cohesiveness. Culturally competent health practitioners or clinicians can conduct these assessments in a prenatal healthcare setting.
Repair and Transcription: Collision or collusion?

While some proteins have distinct responsibilities in both transcription and DNA repair, additional proteins are needed to couple these essential DNA transactions in expressed genes.
In situ FTIR investigation of MMA plasmas, plasma-polymerized films, and reaction mechanisms

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) plasmas and plasma-polymerized methyl methacrylate (PPMMA) films were studied in situ with FTIR and FTIR/ATR (attenuated total reflection) in an r.f. capacitively coupled glow discharge. A statistically designed experiment was conducted by varying the r.f. power, process pressure, and MMA flow rate. MMA plasma fragments were identified from the gas-phase FTIR measurements. They include the intermediate species such as dimethylketene, formaldehyde, allene, and propene; small hydrocarbons such as acetylene, methane, and ethylene; and oxygenates such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methanol. Statistical analysis techniques (correlation analysis, analysis of variance and regression analysis) were used on both gas and film data. Gas-phase reaction mechanisms are proposed, and the relationship between the gas and film data is investigated to understand the film deposition chemistry. The deposition rate is positively correlated to the relative concentrations of MMA fragments which are identified as the major film precursors in the deposition process. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 587–602, 1998
Postdetection pulse integration efficiency of a scanning lidar.

Probability of detection and postdetection integration efficiency are formulated and calculated for pulses that are partially correlated. For high probabilities of detection, substantial gain may be obtained for a coherent idar system applied to diffuse target returns when a small number of pulses are integrated.
Clinically Induced Hypothermia Why Chill Your Patient

Clinically induced hypothermia is an evidence-based intervention strategy that can improve the neurological outcome of unconscious patients after sudden cardiac arrest. Until recently, clinically induced hypothermia has been primarily used during surgery as a mechanism of preserving cardiovascular and neurologic stability of patients. Current evidence suggests that early use of mild hypothermia therapy in select populations of patients improves survival and neurologic outcome postdischarge. While clinically induced hypothermia is beneficial as a treatment to preserve neurologic function, it is not without complications. The purpose of this article is to review current literature and evidence-based nursing practice implications for managing the induction of a hypothermic state in adult patients who remain comatose after initial resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest. Physiologic benefits of hypothermia, complications, and nursing care considerations will be presented.
Comparative effectiveness of biliary brush cytology and intraductal biopsy for detection of malignant biliary strictures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures typically involves collection and analysis of tissue or cells. Brush cytology and intraductal biopsies that are routinely performed during ERCP to assess malignant-appearing biliary strictures are limited by relatively low sensitivity. Objective To study the comparative effectiveness of brushings for cytology and intraductal biopsies in the etiology of biliary strictures. Design Meta-analysis. Setting Referral center. Patients PUBMED and Embase databases were reviewed for studies published to April 2014 where diagnostic correlation of histology was available. Intervention Database and review of study findings. Main Outcome Measurements Sensitivity and specificity. Results The pooled sensitivity and specificity of brushings for the diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40%-50%) and 99% (95% CI, 98%-100%), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio to detect malignant biliary strictures was 33.43 (95% CI, 14.29-78.24). For intraductal biopsies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 48.1% (95% CI, 42.8%-53.4%) and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.6%-99.8%), respectively. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio to detect malignant biliary strictures was 43.18 (95% CI, 19.39-95.83). A combination of both modalities only modestly increased the sensitivity (59.4%; 95% CI, 53.7%-64.8%) with a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 98.8%-100.0%). The Begg-Mazumdar and Egger tests indicated a low potential for publication bias. Limitations Inclusion of low-quality studies. Conclusion Our study suggests that both brushings and biopsy are comparable and have limited sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures. A combination of both only modestly increases the sensitivity.
Problems of modern technology

Modern technologies have a profound impact on society in the current age of global competition. Yet, we do not understand the long-term impact of proliferation of technology on society's long-term sustainability. This paper presents one perspective of how the evolution of technology has: (1) brought about mixed results, some of which need to be reconsidered given that the environmental well is not bottomless and (2) outdistanced the economic and political systems, putting in question who is in the driver's seat in key decision-making processes. We argue that the locus of control in the New World order needs to ensure long-term "sustainability" as opposed to short-term "economisation".
Evolutionary origins of STIM1 and STIM2 within ancient Ca2+ signaling systems

Human stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins are parts of elaborate eukaryotic Ca 2+ signaling systems that include numerous plasma membrane (PM), endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and mitochondrial Ca 2+ transporters, channels and regulators. STIM2 and STIM1 function as Ca 2+ sensors with different sensitivities for ER Ca 2+ . They translocate to ER–PM junctions and open PM Orai Ca 2+ influx channels when receptor-mediated Ca 2+ release lowers ER Ca 2+ levels. The resulting increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ leads to the activation of numerous Ca 2+ effector proteins that in turn regulate differentiation, cell contraction, secretion and other cell functions. In this review, we use an evolutionary perspective to survey molecular activation mechanisms in the Ca 2+ signaling system, with a particular focus on regulatory motifs and functions of the two STIM proteins. We discuss the presence and absence of STIM genes in different species, the order of appearance of STIM versus Orai, and the evolutionary addition of new signaling domains to STIM proteins.
Flow dependence of measures of aortic stenosis severity during exercise

Objectives. This study was designed to investigate the effect of altering transvalvular volume flow rate on indexes of aortic stenosis severity (valve area, valve resistance, percent left ventricular stroke work loss) derived by using Doppler echocardiography. Background. Assessment of hemodynamic severity in aortic stenosis has been limited by the absence of an index that is independent of transvalvular flow rate. The traditional measurement of valve area by the Gorlin equation has been shown to vary with alterations in transvalvular flow. Recently, valve resistance and percent stroke work loss have been proposed as indexes that are relatively independent of flow. Although typically derived with invasive measurements, valve resistance and percent stroke work loss (in addition to continuity equation valve area) can be determined noninvasively with Doppler echocardiography. Methods. We performed 110 symptom-limited exercise studies in 66 asymptomatic patients with valvular aortic stenosis. Continuity equation valve area, valve resistance (the ratio between mean transvalvular pressure gradient and mean flow rate) and the steady component of percent stroke work loss (the ratio between mean transvalvular pressure gradient and left ventricular systolic pressure) were assessed by Doppler echocardiography at rest and immediately after exercise. Results. Mean transvalvular volume flow rate increased 24% (from [mean ± SD]319 ± 80 to 400 ± 140 ml/s, p 1.0 cm2or reduced transvalvular flow rate (rest cardiac output < 4.5 liters/min). Conclusions. In patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis, Doppler echocardiographic measures of valve area, valve resistance and percent stroke work loss are flow dependent. Flow dependence is observed with valve area ⪯ or > 1.0 cm2and in the presence of both normal and low transvalvular flow states. The potential effects of transvalvular flow should be considered when interpreting Doppler measures of aortic stenosis severity.
Public Engagements with Health and Medicine

This introduction to the special issue on “Medicine, Health, and Publics” argues that a rhetorical understanding of publics offers conceptual, methodological, and practical benefits to health and medical humanities scholars.
Intensity analysis of overlapped discrete and continuous absorption by spectral simulation: The electronic transition moment for the B–X system in I2

The spectrum of I2 is examined anew in the wavelength region 520–640 nm, where discrete absorption in the B–X transition is prominent. The spectrum is recorded with high quantitative precision at moderate resolution (0.1 nm) and is analyzed by least-squares spectral simulation, yielding the B–X electronic transition strength |μe|2 with unprecedented precision (<2% relative standard error) over most of the studied region. The analysis also yields directly new estimates of the continuous absorption in this region, which support previous assessments of the A ← X transition but lower the C(1Πu) ← X transition strength by 25%. The new analysis method is applicable to any situation where the discrete spectrum can be simulated reliably.
The science of language and the evolution of mind: Max Müller's quarrel with Darwinism.

For Darwinism to succeed as a general theory of the development of life, it had to account for at least the rudiments of all human characteristics. Thus Darwin and his colleague G. J. Romanes had to make "mental evolution" the basis for scientific psychology. F. Max Muller, Oxford's professor of comparative philology, drew on Kant's work, Romantic Naturphilosophie, and his views on the history of language and the relation of language to thought to maintain that language showed a difference not in degree but in kind between man and the lower primates. In his debate with Romanes, he argued that the study of language, not Darwinist natural history, should be the basis for a science of human psychology. However, the two authors had such different definitions of the key terms in their discussion that their differences were not only unresolved but irresolvable.
The effect of orientation of degenerate coordinateson coriolis coupling constants

Abstract The ambiguity in the definition of degenerate normal coordinates leads to a corresponding ambiguity in the values of the zeta constants coupling parallel and perpendicular vibrations. It is important to resolve this ambiguity for the determination of matrix elements which depend on these zeta constants.
A protocol for anonymous communication over the Internet

ABSTRACT With the growth and a eptan e of the Internet, there has been in reased interest in maintaining anonymity in the network. This paper presents a new proto ol for initiator anonymity alled Hordes, whi h uses forwarding me hanisms similar to those used in previous proto ols for sending data, but is the rst proto ol to make use of the anonymity inherent in multi ast routing to re eive data. We show this results in shorter transmission laten ies and requires less work of the proto ol parti ipants, in terms of the messages pro essed. We also present a omparison of the se urity and anonymity of Hordes with previous proto ols, using the rst quantitative de nition of anonymity and unlinkability. Our analysis shows that Hordes provides anonymity in a degree similar to that of Crowds and Onion Routing, but also that Hordes has numerous performan e advantages.
Overview Of Nuclear Radiation Damage Processes: Phenomenological Features Of Radiation Damage In Crystals And Glasses

The principle radiation damage effects occurring in optical materials, particularly those produced by energetic particles and gamma rays, are described phenomenologically. Included is a description of the basic processes whereby radiation interacts with non-metals. Emphasized are: 1) ionization induced electron and hole formation and migration processes and, 2) the displacement and ionization damage effects that are responsible for atoms being displaced from their normal lattice positions. In nonmetals, the principal radiation damage effect produced by these processes is the creation of color centers. In turn, it is shown that the radiation induced color center formation, as well as the changes that occurs after an irradiation is terminated, are described by a particularly simple theory. Radiation damage in transparent crystals and glasses is illustrated by measurements made with unique equipment fn making optical measurements during and after irradiation. One arrangement utilizes a 60 Co gamma-ray source and the other a 3.0 MeV electron accelerator. The illustrations include: 1) Measurements on F-center formation during irradiation--and the changes that occur after irradiation--on LiF, NaC1, and KC1 synthetic crystals. 2) Studies on the radiation induced F-center and Na metal colloid formation occurring in natural rock salt (NaCl) from potential radioactive waste repository sites. 3) The growth during irradiation and decay after irradiation of color centers in glasses irradiated at different temperatures. Lastly, the radioluminescence emitted during irradiation, as well as the absorption spectrum changes and the thermoluminescence emission that is observed when irradiated samples are heated, is illustrated by studies on natural quartz.
When Subjectivism Matters

: In this article I consider when the question of whether entities exist subjectively (only in the minds of subjects) or objectively (in themselves, independently of the minds of subjects) is important, both theoretically and practically. I argue that when it comes to the metaphysics underlying three types of moral questions, broadly conceived, the subjectivity question does not matter practically, although it is widely thought to matter. Subjectivism does not matter in these moral questions in the same way(s) it matters in some nonmoral metaphysical issues. The moral questions I consider are the meaning of life, normative ethics, and the free-will problem. The nonmoral issues I address are the existence of God, the traditional mind/body problem, and personal identity. I explain the difference by noting that certain metaphysical issues on the fact side of the fact/value distinction impinge on persons' lives more prominently than do the metaphysics behind the three moral questions.
Conformational mapping of a viral fusion peptide in structure-promoting solvents using circular dichroism and electrospray mass spectrometry.

The N-terminal domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 glycoprotein 41,000 (FP; residues 1–23; NH2-AVGIGALFLGFLGAAGSTMGARS-CONH2) is involved in the fusion and cytolytic processes underlying viral-cell infection. Here, we use circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, along with electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectrometry during the course of hydrogen/deuterium exchange, to probe the local conformations of this synthetic peptide in two membrane mimics. Since amino acids that participate in defined secondary structure (i.e., α-helix or β-sheet) exchange amido hydrogens more slowly than residues in random structures, deuterium exchange was combined with CD spectroscopy to map conformations to specific residues. For FP suspended in the highly structure-promoting solvent hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), CD spectra indicated high α-helix and disordered structures, whereas ESI and MS/MS mass spectrometry indicated that residues 5–15 were α-helical and 16–23 were disordered. For FP suspended in the less structure-promoting solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE), CD spectra showed lower α-helix, with ESI and MS/MS mass spectrometry indicating that only residues 9–15 participated in the α-helix. These results compare favorably with previous two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the same peptide. Proteins Suppl. 2:38–49, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modeling zooplankton development using the monotonic upstream scheme for conservation laws

Numerical diffusion along the age/stage axis is recognized as a significant problem in the modeling of zooplankton populations in dynamic physical environments. We demonstrate the utility of borrowing schemes from numerical fluid dynamics to address this problem. In particular, we use the monotonic upstream scheme for conservation laws (MUSCL) to model the zooplankton Calanus finmarchicus in the Gulf of Maine. Applying this scheme to the molting term substantially reduces numerical diffusion without requiring the introduction of additional state variables. The improvement is on average equivalent to a 3- to 5-fold increase in the number of state variables, but without the run-time costs of such an increase. Basic strategies for assessing numerical schemes are discussed, and some consequences of numerical diffusion in the age domain are demonstrated.
Neuronal responses to simply prepared chitosan composite gels

Hydrogels have been favored as scaffolds for brain repair. However, most of the polymers used today for neural tissue scaffold fabrication require chemical functionalization with neuro-adhesive molecules, which raises potential challenges for their clinical applications. In the present study, simply prepared chitosan-based composite gels were developed by physically blending chitosan into agarose hydrogels as a neuro-adhesive component. The responses of primary cortical neuron towards the scaffolds were investigated. Results confirmed the neuro-adhesive property of chitosan. Low molecular weight chitosan supported better neuron adhesion. Neuron differentiation was dependent on chitosan concentration, where 0.66–1.5 wt% was identified as an optimum range for neurite outgrowth.
Surgical Technique to Repair Grade IV Rectal Tears in Post-Parturient Mares

Objective— To describe a surgical technique for repair of grade IV rectal tears after parturition in mares and to report outcome. Study Design— Clinical report. Animals— Horses (n=6) with grade IV rectal tears. Methods— Mares were sedated and restrained in standing stocks. After caudal anesthesia and evacuation of feces from the rectum, the perineal region was aseptically prepared. Four stay sutures were placed through the external anal sphincter before vertical transection (12 o'clock). Caudal retraction of the tear was performed using Allis tissue forceps (5 mares) or stay sutures before accurate apposition of the tear margins with steel staples below the tissue forceps. The mucosal edges were then sharply dissected leaving ∼5 mm edges which were apposed in a single layer (2-0 poliglecaprone 25) before stapler release. In 1 mare, the rectal tear was identified and apposed using a 2-layer hand-sutured closure. Systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents were administered postoperatively (5 mares) and standing abdominal lavage performed (3 mares). Results— Four mares survived long term and subsequently became pregnant. Immediately after surgical repair, 1 mare was anesthetized for exploratory celiotomy and abdominal lavage but fractured her pelvis during recovery from anesthesia and was euthanatized. A 2nd mare was euthanatized after 72 h because of severe diffuse peritonitis; however, the repair was still intact. Conclusion— In standing mares, rectal tears can be exteriorized by prolapse through the anal sphincter after sphincterotomy and repaired in 2 layers with staples oversewn with a continuous suture pattern. Clinical Relevance— Rectal tears occurring as a result of parturition can potentially be repaired efficiently using an oversewn stapled primary closure technique.