cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of mutagens in deep-fat-fried foods obtained at the retail level

The basic methylene chloride extract from 20 of 30 samples of foods fried in deep fat failed to elicit any mutagenic response that could be detected in the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome assay. The basic extracts of the remaining ten samples (all three chicken samples studied, two of the four potato-chip samples, one of four corn-chip samples, the sample of onion rings, two of six doughnuts, and one of three samples of french-fried potato) showed evidence of weak mutagenic activity. In these samples, amounts of the basic extract equivalent to 28.5-57 g of the original food sample were required to produce revertants at levels of 2.6-4.8 times the background level. Only two of the acidic methylene chloride extracts from the 30 samples exhibited mutagenic activity greater than 2.5 times the background reversion level, and in both cases (one corn-chip and one shrimp sample) the mutagenic response was quite weak. The basic extract of hamburgers fried in deep fat in a home-style fryer possessed higher levels of mutagenic activity (13 times the background reversion level). However, the mutagenic activity of deep-fried hamburgers is some four times lower than that of pan-fried hamburgers.
Real view radiology-impact on search patterns and confidence in radiology education.

Rationale and Objectives Search patterns are important for radiologists because they enable systematic case review. Because radiology residents are exposed to so many imaging modalities and anatomic regions, and they rotate on-and-off service so frequently, they may have difficulty establishing effective search patterns. We developed Real View Radiology (RVR), an educational system founded on guided magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) case review and evaluated its impact on search patterns and interpretative confidence of junior radiology residents. Materials and Methods RVR guides learners through unknown examinations by sequentially prompting learners to certain aspects of a case via a comprehensive question set and then providing immediate feedback. Junior residents first completed a brief evaluation regarding their level of confidence when interpreting certain joint MRI cases and frequency of search pattern use. They spent four half-days interpreting cases using RVR. Once finished, they repeated the evaluations. The junior resident results were compared to third-year residents who had not used RVR. The data were analyzed for change in confidence, use of search patterns, and number of cases completed. Results Twelve first-year and thirteen second-year residents (trained cohort) were enrolled in the study. During their 4-week musculoskeletal rotations, they completed on average 29.3 MRI knee (standard deviation [SD], 1.6) and 17.4 shoulder (SD, 1.2) cases using RVR. Overall search pattern scores of the trained cohort increased significantly both from pretraining to posttraining (knee P P P P P P P P Conclusions Radiology residents can increase their MRI case interpretation confidence and improve the consistency of search pattern use by training with a question-based sequential reveal educational program. RVR could be used to supplement training and assist with search pattern creation in areas in which residents often do not acquire adequate clinical exposure.
A closed procedure based on follmann's test for the analysis of multiple endpoints

Closed test procedures are constructed based on Follmann's test (1996) and its nonparametric rank sum analog for testing multiple endpoints. These procedures are based on the stepwise closed test strategy of Lehmacher, Wassmer & Reitmeir (1991). The experimentwise type I error rate and power performance of the test procedures are compared to those of the Westfall and Young (WFY) bootstrap resampling closed procedure (1993) by simulation studies. The comparison focuses on one-sided alternatives. Both the Follmann-type and the bootstrap-WFY closed test procedures control the experimentwise type I error rate, and their power performances are similar.
Further chromosome studies on Wilms' tumor cells of patients without aniridia

We studied chromosomes in Wilms' tumor cells of two patients without aniridia who had a normal constitutional karyotype. In both tumors, trisomy for 1q occurred as the result of a t(1;16), although the breakpoints in each chromosome differed in the two tumors. No 11p rearrangements could be detected, whereas in our previous patient an interstitial deletion of 11p13 was present in all tumor cells. Thus, trisomy for 1q may be another pathway leading to the development of Wilms' tumor, although the effect of the deletion of 16q cannot be assessed at present.
Gender Differences in Characteristics Reported to Be Important Features of Physical Attractiveness

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether characteristics of physical attractiveness named by respondents as important would differ from those attributes previously examined by researchers...
Partial Orders on Fuzzy Truth Value Algebras

The elements of the truth value algebra of type-2 fuzzy sets are the mappings of the unit interval into itself, with operations given by various convolutions of the pointwise operations. This algebra can be specialized and generalized in various interesting ways. First, we consider the more general case of all mappings of a bounded chain with an involution into a complete chain, and delimit some of the properties of the resulting algebra. These include two binary operations each of which give a partial order on the elements of that algebra. These partial orders and their intersection are the principal objects of interest. We specialize this situation in two cases: (1) all mappings of the unit interval into itself, the original version of the truth value algebra of type-2 fuzzy sets introduced by Zadeh, and (2) all mappings of a finite chain into another finite chain. Again, each of these two cases yields two partial orders on the elements of the resulting algebras, and in each case, our principal interest is in these partial orders and their intersection.
Encoding of forelimb forces by corticospinal tract activity in the rat

In search of a solution to the long standing problems encountered in traditional brain computer interfaces (BCI), the lateral descending tracts of the spinal cord present an alternative site for taping into the volitional motor signals. Due to the convergence of the cortical outputs into a final common pathway in the descending tracts of the spinal cord, neural interfaces with the spinal cord can potentially acquire signals richer with volitional information in a smaller anatomical region. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of extracting motor control signals from the corticospinal tract (CST) of the rat spinal cord. Flexible substrate, multi-electrode arrays (MEA) were implanted in the CST of rats trained for a lever pressing task. This novel use of flexible substrate MEAs allowed recording of CST activity in behaving animals for up to three weeks with the current implantation technique. Time-frequency and principal component analyses (PCA) were applied to the neural signals to reconstruct isometric forelimb forces. Computed regression coefficients were then used to predict isometric forces in additional trials. The correlation between measured and predicted forces in the vertical direction averaged across six animals was 0.67 and R-squared value was 0.44. Force regression in the horizontal directions was less successful, possibly due to the small amplitude of forces. Neural signals above and near the high gamma band made the largest contributions to prediction of forces. The results of this study support the feasibility of a spinal cord computer interface (SCCI) for generation of command signals in paralyzed individuals.
Activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels prevents the cleavage of cytosolic μ-calpain and abrogates the elevation of nuclear c-Fos and c-Jun expressions after hypoxic–ischemia in neonatal rat brain

The purpose of this study was to determine whether activation of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels with diazoxide (DIZ) is able to prevent the cleavage of cytosolic mu-calpain and abrogate the elevation of nuclear c-Fos and c-Jun protein (c-Fos, c-Jun) expressions after hypoxic-ischemia (HI) in brain. The model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) was made in the 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by left carotid arterial ligation and hypoxia (8% oxygen). DIZ was injected into the left lateral ventricle (5 microl, 1 mg/ml) before or post-hypoxic-ischemia (HI) insults. Western blot and computer image processing were used to detect the integrated density of nuclear c-Fos and c-Jun at 4 h and cleavage of cytosolic mu-calpain at 24 h after HI insults from cerebral cortical and hippocampal samples. Compared with HI controls (c-Fos=30.37+/-7.39 from cortical samples, 58.61+/-3.64 from hippocampal samples; c-Jun=52.48+/-14.23 from cortical samples, 35.55+/-4.73 from hippocampal samples), there was a significant down-regulation of c-Fos and c-Jun expressions from cortical and hippocampal samples in rats treated with DIZ before (c-Fos=11.10+/-4.64 from cortical samples, 4.82+/-3.38 from hippocampal samples; c-Jun=19.01+/-5.29 from cortical samples, 35.55+/-4.73 from hippocampal samples) or post- (c-Fos=18.81+/-7.93 from cortical samples, 11.33+/-7.05 from hippocampal samples; c-Jun=24.64+/-10.01 from cortical samples, 19.75+/-3.47 from hippocampal samples) HI insults. Furthermore, the ratio of 76 kD/80 kD of mu-calpain was down-regulated from cortical and hippocampal samples in rats treated with DIZ before or post-HI insults, demonstrating a significant difference compared with that observed in HI controls. Finally, the increase in DNA fragments caused by the HI injury was decreased or eliminated by the treatment with DIZ. These data suggests that activation of KATP channels by DIZ reduces the degree of mu-calpain proteolysis, and c-Fos and c-Jun expressions in immature brain may contribute to the neuroprotection of K(ATP) channel openers against HIBI.
The Opioid Growth Factor Receptor in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Carcinoma of the head and neck is the sixth leading cause of cancer in the world, and the third most common neoplasia in developing countries. More than 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCHN). Approximately half of the patients afflicted die within 5 years of diagnosis and survival rates for cancer of the upper aero-digestive tract have not changed in 25 years. The opioid growth factor (OGF), ?Met5-enkephalin, inhibits the growth of SCCHN in vitro and in vivo, and acts in a receptor-mediated fashion. Receptor binding assays using CAL-27 human SCCHN cells in culture and ?3H-?Met5-enkephalin were employed to identify and characterize the receptor responsible for the growth-regulatory effects of OGF. Specific and saturable binding was recorded, and Scatchard analysis showed that the data were consistent for a single binding site with a binding affinity (Kd) of 5.0+/-0.9 nM and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 47.5+/-1.7 fmol/mg protein. Subcellular fractionation studies determined that the optimal binding occurred with the nuclear fraction. Competition experiments demonstrated that cold ?Met5-enkephalin was at least 7-fold greater than ligands selective for classical opioid receptors. Binding was detected in 4 other SCCHN cell lines. Receptor number in xenografts of CAL-27 was decreased almost 5-fold compared to the same cells grown in vitro. Binding to radiolabeled ?Met5-enkephalin was recorded in SCCHN obtained from surgical resections. The function, pharmacological and biochemical characteristics, distribution and subcellular location of OGF binding in human SCCHN were consonant with the OGF receptor (OGFr).
Surface-plasmon-assisted photoemission

We present a new geometry for producing unusual photo yields from traditional photocathodes by exciting a surface plasmon in an underlying metal film. Photo yields calculated for this geometry exhibit an unusually strong dependence on photon polarization and angle of incidence. Some enhancement of the photoelectron yield is also found.
Localized excitations in a discrete Klein-Gordon system

Abstract We analyze the origin and features of localized excitations in a discrete Klein-Gordon system. We connect the presence of these excitations with the existence of local integrability of the original N -degree of freedom system. On the basis of this explanation we make several predictions about the existence and stability of these excitations.
Corpus callosum area in children and adults with autism

Despite repeated findings of abnormal corpus callosum structure in autism, the developmental trajectories of corpus callosum growth in the disorder have not yet been reported. In this study, we examined corpus callosum size from a developmental perspective across a 30-year age range in a large cross-sectional sample of individuals with autism compared to a typically developing sample. Midsagittal corpus callosum area and the 7 Witelson subregions were examined in 68 males with autism (mean age 14.1 years; range 3-36 years) and 47 males with typical development (mean age 15.3 years; range 4-29 years). Controlling for total brain volume, increased variability in total corpus callosum area was found in autism. In autism, increased midsagittal areas were associated with reduced severity of autism behaviors, higher intelligence, and faster speed of processing (p=0.003, p=0.011, p=0.013, respectively). A trend toward group differences in isthmus development was found (p=0.029, uncorrected). These results suggest that individuals with autism benefit functionally from increased corpus callosum area. Our cross-sectional examination also shows potential maturational abnormalities in autism, a finding that should be examined further with longitudinal datasets.
Wheat and Barley Susceptibility and Tolerance to Multiple Isolates of Wheat streak mosaic virus.

One of the greatest virus disease threats to wheat production in the Great Plains of the USA is Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). Breeding programs have developed wheat varieties that are resistant or tolerant to WSMV infection, but these characteristics are climate dependent, and may also vary by WSMV isolate. We tested 10 spring and nine winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties and two barley (Hordeum vulgare) varieties for resistance and tolerance to one WSMV isolate over four years. In spring wheat and barley, there were year by cultivar interactions in terms of resistance and tolerance. However, in winter wheat, yield losses due to WSMV were relatively consistent across years and varieties. Additionally, we tested the impacts of three WSMV isolates individually and in a mixture on twelve, two, and twelve varieties of spring wheat, barley, and winter wheat, respectively. Resistance and tolerance varied by isolate and cultivar, but there were no isolate by cultivar interactions. For spring wheat and ...
Engineered lentivector targeting of dendritic cells for in vivo immunization.

We report a method of inducing antigen production in dendritic cells by in vivo targeting with lentiviral vectors that specifically bind to the dendritic cell–surface protein DC-SIGN. To target dendritic cells, we enveloped the lentivector with a viral glycoprotein from Sindbis virus engineered to be DC-SIGN–specific. In vitro, this lentivector specifically transduced dendritic cells and induced dendritic cell maturation. A high frequency (up to 12%) of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells and a significant antibody response were observed 2 weeks after injection of a targeted lentiviral vector encoding an OVA transgene into naive mice. This approach also protected against the growth of OVA-expressing E.G7 tumors and induced regression of established tumors. Thus, lentiviral vectors targeting dendritic cells provide a simple method of producing effective immunity and may provide an alternative route for immunization with protein antigens.
Shape of rotating quasiparticle orbits and signature splitting in La, Ce, and Pr nuclei

A simple semiclassical picture of the rotating spatial density distribution for spin-aligned high-$j$ quasiparticles emerges from the cranking model. Evidence for the physical relevance of this picture can be sought in the signature splitting of rotational bands in $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-soft nuclei. The cerium region is a suitable testing ground, and model calculations are presented for bands which might be observed experimentally.
A REDUCED EFFLUENT BLANCH‐COOLING METHOD USING A VIBRATORY CONVEYOR

A new vibratory conveyor, blanching-cooling method using the individual quick blanch (IQB) principle was tested. Heating of piece-form foods in steam was done on two stacked circular vibrating conveyor trays. Adiabatic holding was done in an insulated vertical tube. Blancher liquid was atomized into the air used for cooling the product. Solids losses, COD and effluent volume for green beans, carrots and peas were much less than that of best commercial practice. The feasibility of using vibratory conveyors, adiabatic holding in bulk and cooling with blancher liquid was demonstrated. Preliminary estimates show a saving in steam, water and effluent costs over best commercial practice.
Quasiparticle Band Gap of ZnO: High Accuracy from the Conventional G 0 W 0 Approach

Contrary to previous reports, we show that the conventional $GW$ (the so-called ${G}^{0}{W}^{0}$) approximation can be used to calculate accurately the experimental band gap ($\ensuremath{\sim}3.6\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$) of ZnO. The widely discussed underestimate of the quasiparticle gap of ZnO within the $GW$ method is a result of an inadequate treatment of the semicore electrons and the slow and nonuniform convergence in the calculation of the Coulomb-hole self-energy in previous studies. In addition, an assumed small kinetic energy cutoff for the dielectric matrix may result in a false convergence behavior for the quasiparticle self-energy.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL WANG–LANDAU SAMPLING OF AN ASYMMETRIC ISING MODEL

We study the critical endpoint behavior of an asymmetric Ising model with two- and three-body interactions on a triangular lattice, in the presence of an external field. We use a two-dimensional Wang–Landau sampling method to determine the density of states for this model. An accurate density of states allowed us to map out the phase diagram accurately and observe a clear divergence of the curvature of the spectator phase boundary and of the derivative of the magnetization coexistence diameter near the critical endpoint, in agreement with previous theoretical predictions.
The thermomechanical properties of gutta-percha. Part V. Volume changes in bulk gutta-percha as a function of temperature and its relationship to molecular phase tranformation

A variety of gutta-percha materials was subjected to dilatometric analysis to measure volume changes which take place with heating and cooling. The volume changes were found to be related directly to the molecular transformation kinetics of the polymer material and to the temperature ranges within which they take place. If the gutta-percha in the apical segment is not elevated above 45 degrees C, molecular transformation is avoided and the ultimate volume changes which accompany temperature cycling are small, predictable, and controllable.
Monetary policy and costs of price adjustment

Abstract This paper studies the scope for monetary policy in an economy in which firms are concerned by the adverse reaction of their customers to price changes. First, the rational expectations equilibrium of such an economy is computed. Then, it is shown that the optimal plan of the monetary authority is time inconsistent as long as the government can only respond slowly to changing aggregate statistics. The Strotz-Pollak equilibrium of the game between successive monetary authorities is computed and contrasted both to `optimal' feedback rules and to Friedman's constant growth rule.
The emergence of mass spectrometry in biochemical research.

Abstract The initial steps toward routinely applying mass spectrometry in the biochemical laboratory have been achieved. In the past, mass spectrometry was confined to the realm of small, relatively stable molecules; large or thermally labile molecules did not survive the desorption and ionization processes intact. Electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry allow for the analysis of both small and large biomolecules through "mild" desorption and ionization methods. The use of ESI and MALDI mass spectrometry extends beyond simple characterization. Noncovalent interactions, protein and peptide sequencing, DNA sequencing, protein folding, in vitro drug analysis, and drug discovery are among the areas to which ESI and MALDI mass spectrometry have been applied. This review summarizes recent developments and major contributions in mass spectrometry, focusing on the applications of MALDI and ESI mass spectrometry.
Intentional Falsification in Reports of Interpartner Aggression

A persistent question in studies of socially undesirable behavior concerns the truthfulness of self-report data. The current study examines the willingness of subjects to report relationship aggression. Male (N = 98) and female (N = 98) undergraduate students rated the likelihood that they would report the occurrence of various hypothetical behaviors on an anonymous questionnaire. Subjects rated themselves much less likely to report physical aggression than other positive and negative relationship behaviors. Subjects also displayed more willingness to report being the victims rather than the perpetrators of physical aggression. These results converge with evidence from other methods of assessing social desirability response bias to suggest that victim reports of interpartner aggression are less biased than are aggressor reports. The results are further discussed in terms of a two-component model of social desirability bias, involving conscious dissimulation and unconscious self-deception.
Role of wetting on the rate of drug release from inert matrices

This investigation has shown that matrix permeability and rates of permeation of the matrix by the solvent can individually limit drug release rates. This was found to be a function of the pore size distribution of the matrix and the permeation pressure of the release media defined by its surface tension and contact angle. Methods useful in separating the various roles of the above were developed and are presented. They include the correlation and use of external pressure, vacuum techniques, surface tension and contact angle measurements, and porosimeter data. The results have been used to develop models to illustrate the possible systems that can be encountered. Concepts such as rates of pore permeation, varying solubility dependence, and tortuosity are developed and applied to these models.
A search for companions to nearby brown dwarfs: the binary DENIS-P J1228.2-1547

Hubble Space Telescope imaging observations of two nearby brown dwarfs, DENIS-P J1228.2-1547 and Kelu 1, made with the near-infrared camera and multiobject spectrometer (NICMOS), show that the DENIS object is resolved into two components of nearly equal brightness with a projected separation of 0.275 arc second (5 astronomical units for a distance of 18 parsecs). This binary system will be able to provide the first dynamical measurement of the masses of two brown dwarfs in only a few years. Upper limits to the mass of any unseen companion in Kelu 1 yield a planet of 7 Jupiter masses aged 0.5 × 10^9years, which would have been detected at a separation larger than about 4 astronomical units. This example demonstrates that giant planets could be detected by direct imaging if they exist in Jupiter-like orbits around nearby young brown dwarfs.
Gender-based differences in hemostatic responses

Aim: Recent reports indicate increased mortality in women owing to cardiovascular diseases necessitating more gender-based studies. It is hypothesized that women have variable hemostatic responses to anticoagulant drugs. Materials & methods: The hemostatic responses in healthy males (n = 10) and females (n = 10) were evaluated by performing various assays in the presence of anticoagulant drugs. Citrated whole blood from healthy volunteers (n = 20) was supplemented with rivaroxaban (final concentration [FC] = 0.3 µg/ml) and enoxaparin (FC =5 µg/ml). Results: Differences between males and females were noted in the whole blood activated partial thromboplastin time (p = 0.0442) and Heptest® (p = 0.0345) assays in the saline control values. In the plasma system, rivaroxaban at a FC of 0.3 µg/ml and enoxaparin at 5 µg/ml showed a gender-based difference in the Heptest (p = 0.0423). Females showed faster fibrin formation than males. In the plasma system, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and domain-dimer assays ...
Preserve and protect: maintaining axons within functional circuits

During development, neural circuits are initially generated by exuberant innervation and are rapidly refined by selective preservation and elimination of axons. The establishment and maintenance of functional circuits therefore requires coordination of axon survival and degeneration pathways. Both developing and mature circuits rely on interdependent mitochondrial and cytoskeletal components to maintain axonal health and homeostasis; injury or diseases that impinge on these components frequently cause pathologic axon loss. Here, we review recent findings that identify mechanisms of axonal preservation in the contexts of development, injury, and disease.
Treatment-resistant depression: managed care considerations.

BACKGROUND: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents a unique challenge in managed care, requiring review of both the clinical and economic components of care. OBJECTIVE: To review the TRD disease state as well as data supporting the various therapeutic options available for the treatment of persistent depression in managed care. SUMMARY: While there is no consensus on the definition of TRD, persistent disease can generally be defined as depression that fails to respond to adequate treatment. When initial treatment is not effective or tolerable after 6 to 8 weeks of therapy, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) treatment guidelines recommend dose titration, augmentation, or switching. In the case of a therapy switch, the body of evidence suggests that selection of an agent with a different mechanism of action than the initial agent may be the most effective treatment. Furthermore, when patients maintain continuous therapy for the recommended treatment duration, outcomes are improved compared wi...
Correction of hypervolaemic hypernatraemia by inducing negative Na+ and K+ balance in excess of negative water balance: a new quantitative approach

Background Hypervolemic hypernatremia is caused by an increase in total exchangeable Na(+) and K(+) in excess of an increment in total body H(2)O (TBW). Unlike patients with hypovolemic or euvolemic hypernatremia, treatment needs to be targeted at correcting not only the elevated plasma Na(+) concentration, but also there is an additional requirement to achieve negative H(2)O balance to correct the increment in TBW. Methods Correction of hypervolemic hypernatremia can be attained by ensuring that the negative Na(+) and K(+) balance exceeds the negative H(2)O balance. These seemingly conflicting therapeutic goals are typically approached by administering intravenous 5% Dextrose (IV D5W) and furosemide. Results Currently, there is no quantitative approach to predicting the volume of IV D5W (V(IVF)) that needs to be administered that satisfies these requirements. Therefore, based on the principle of mass balance and the empirical relationship between exchangeable Na(+), K(+), TBW, and the plasma Na(+) concentration, we have derived a new equation which calculates the volume of IV D5W (V(IVF)) needed to lower the plasma Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](p1)) to a targeted level ([Na(+)](p2)) by achieving the desired amount of negative H(2)O balance (V(MB)): V(IVF) = {([Na(+)](p1) + 23.8) (TBW(1)) - ([Na(+)](p2) + 23.8)(TBW(1) + V(MB)) + 1.03 ([E](input) x V(input) - [E](output) x V(output) - [E](urine) (V(input) - V(output) - V(MB)))}/1.03 x [E](urine) where [E] = [Na(+) + K(+)] and input and output refer to non-infusate and non-renal input and output respectively. Conclusion This new formula is the first quantitative approach for correcting hypervolemic hypernatremia by achieving negative Na(+) and K(+) balance in excess of negative H(2)O balance.
Parallelizing iterative loops with conditional branching

This paper considers automatic restructuring of loops with conditional branching for parallel processing, especially a class of loops termed "conditional cyclic loops." A conditional cyclic loop possesses a dependence cycle caused by conditional branching across loop iterations, which makes it difficult to parallelize. In general, parallel execution of a conditional cyclic loop provides little benefit due to the need of solving a full-order nonlinear Boolean recurrence relation. However, the Boolean recurrence in practice is often of simpler forms. With the simpler forms, the number of possible predicate values of conditional branching is reduced drastically compared to a general conditional cyclic loop, These simple forms of conditional cyclic loops found in practice can be parallelized for O(p/ log p) speedup with p processors. >
Gauging nonlocal Lagrangians.

We describe a method for introducing gauge fields into nonlocal Lagrangians, and for deriving the resulting Feynman rules. The method is applied in detail to the nonlocal chiral quark model. In particular we describe how to calculate coupling constants of the effective chiral Lagrangian that results when the quarks are integrated out of the theory.
A fast-start method for computing the inverse tangent

In a search for an algorithm to compute atan(x) which has both low latency and few floating point instructions, an interesting variant of familiar trigonometry formulas was discovered that allow the start of argument reduction to commence before any references to tables stored in memory are needed. Low latency makes the method suitable for a closed subroutine, and few floating-point operations make the method advantageous for a software-pipelined implementation.
Temporary Placement of Stent Grafts in Postsurgical Benign Biliary Strictures: a Single Center Experience

Objective: To evaluate the effect of temporary stent graft placement in the treatment of benign anastomotic biliary strictures. Materials and Methods: Nine patients, five women and four men, 22-64 years old (mean, 47.5 years), with chronic benign biliary anastomotic strictures, refractory to repeated balloon dilations, were treated by prolonged, temporary placement of stent-grafts. Four patients had strictures following a liver transplantation; three of them in bilio-enteric anastomoses and one in a choledocho-choledochostomy. Four of the other five patients had strictures at bilio-enteric anastomoses, which developed after complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomies and in one after a Whipple procedure for duodenal carcinoma. In eight patients, balloon-expandable stent-grafts were placed and one patient was treated by insertion of a self-expanding stent-graft. Results: In the transplant group, treatment of patients with bilio-enteric anastomoses was unsuccessful (mean stent duration, 30 days). The patient treated for stenosis in the choledocho-choledochostomy responded well to consecutive selfexpanding stent-graft placement (total placement duration, 112 days). All patients with bilio-enteric anastomoses in the non-transplant group were treated successfully with stent-grafts (mean placement duration, 37 days). Conclusion: Treatment of benign biliary strictures with temporary placement of stent-grafts has a positive effect, but is less successful in patients with strictures developed following a liver transplant. Index terms: Biliary anastomotic stricture; Benign stricture; Liver transplant
Factor Structure and Validity of the Parenting Scale.

Confirmatory factor analyses based on the scoring derived from 5 prior studies of the Parenting Scale were conducted using a representatively recruited sample of 453 couples parenting 3-to 7-year-old children. Comparative analyses favored the Reitman et al. (2001) 2-factor scoring system as well as a 3-factor solution, including Lax, Overreactive, and Hostile discipline. This 3-factor solution demonstrated good fit across parent gender and child age and gender. Mothers rated themselves as more overreactive than fathers. The factor scores correlated significantly with several validity measures, including child behavior problems. The Hostile factor contributed significantly to the prediction of child behavior problems after controlling for Lax and Overreactive discipline. Both parents reported using more dysfunctional discipline than they thought they should.
New nitrate delivery systems: Buccal nitroglycerin

BN, a new nitrate formulation, has recently been made available. The main advantages of this medication is the combination of prompt onset of action, comparable to that of sublingual NTG, and sustained activity that persists for many hours. The tablet remains pharmacologically effective as long as it remains in the buccal pouch. A variety of studies indicate that BN is well tolerated by patients, acts promptly to provide protection against anginal pain, and has sustained efficacy that persists for 2 to 6 hours. Clinical investigations using serial treadmill testing in patients with angina demonstrate clinical effectiveness and bioactivity of BN beginning within minutes and lasting over 4 hours. The potential advantages of this preparation are discussed, and the formulation is compared to other available longacting nitrates. BN is an effective new addition to the nitrate armamentarium.
Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma has a consistent p63+/p40- immunophenotype that helps distinguish it from adenoid cystic carcinoma and cellular pleomorphic adenoma

Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a tumor of minor salivary glands that exhibits considerable morphologic overlap with adenoid cystic carcinoma and cellular pleomorphic adenoma, especially in small biopsy specimens. Unlike these other tumor types. PLGAs do not harbor a myoepithelial component, yet their frequent positivity for p63 diminishes the usefulness of this particular myoepithelial marker as a discriminating immunostain. p40 is an antibody that recognizes ΔNp63, a p63 isoform that is more specific for true myoepithelial differentiation. As such, p40 immunostaining could help distinguish PLGAs from adenoid cystic carcinomas and pleomorphic adenomas. In this study, p63 and p40 immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin embedded, formalin fixed tissue from 11 PLGAs, 101 adenoid cystic carcinomas, and 31 pleomorphic adenomas. All 11 PLGAs (100 %) were positive for p63 but completely negative for p40. Among adenoid cystic carcinomas, 91 of 101 (90 %) were positive for p63 and 90/101 (89 %) were positive for p40. The single discordant p63+/p40− adenoid cystic carcinoma exhibited solid architecture and high grade features not typically seen in PLGA. Among pleomorphic adenomas, 21/31 (68 %) were positive for p63 and 13/31 (42 %) were positive for p40. For the pleomorphic adenomas, the discordant p63+/p40− staining pattern was seen only in the overtly mesenchymal chondromyxoid stroma. The cellular epithelial component of the pleomorphic adenomas demonstrated concordant p63+/p40+ or p63−/p40− immunophenotypes. PLGA consistently exhibits a p63+/p40− immunophenotype that can help distinguish it from adenoid cystic carcinoma and cellular pleomorphic adenoma, tumors that characteristically demonstrate concordant p63 and p40 immunostaining patterns. A p63/p40 immunohistochemical panel can provide a valuable tool for making the distinction between these morphologically similar but clinically divergent entities.
Identifying Negatively Discriminating Items When Test Scores are Not Normally Distributed

Traditional item analysis procedures for norm referenced testing have often included the selection of the upper and lower 27% groups for performing item discriminations. Such procedures are based upon assumptions of (a) normality, (b) score independence in the tails, and (c) equality of standard deviations in the tails of the criterion distribution. However, these characteristics may not apply to the distributions of typical classroom examinations, which tend to be negatively skewed. This study used Monte Carlo techniques to examine the power of Brennan's (1972) B to detect negatively discriminating items drawn from a variety of nonnormal population distributions. In general, it was found that power is lost when choosing equal-sized groups from asymmetric distributions. A simplified procedure for conducting an item discrimination analysis on typical classroom objective examinations is offered.
ksgA mutations confer resistance to kasugamycin in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The aminoglycoside antibiotic kasugamycin (KSG) inhibits translation initiation and thus the growth of many bacteria. In this study, we tested the susceptibilities to KSG of 22 low-passage clinical isolates and 2 laboratory strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Although the range of KSG minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was narrow (seven-fold), clinical isolates and laboratory strains fell into three distinct classes of KSG sensitivity, susceptible, somewhat sensitive and resistant, with MICs of 30, 60-100 and 200 microg/mL, respectively. Two genes have previously been shown to be involved in bacterial KSG resistance: rpsI, which encodes the 30S ribosomal subunit S9 protein; and ksgA, which encodes a predicted dimethyltransferase. Although sequencing of rpsI and ksgA from clinical isolates revealed polymorphisms, none correlated with the MICs of KSG. Ten spontaneous KSG-resistant (KSG(R)) mutants were isolated from laboratory strain FA1090 at a frequency of <4.4x10(-6) resistant colony-forming units (CFU)/total CFU. All isolated KSG(R) variants had mutations in ksgA, whilst no mutations were observed in rpsI. ksgA mutations conferring KSG resistance included four point mutations, two in-frame and one out-of-frame deletions, one in-frame duplication and two frame-shift insertions. These data show a narrow range of susceptibilities for the clinical isolates and laboratory strains examined; moreover, the differences in MICs do not correlate with nucleotide polymorphisms in rpsI or ksgA. Additionally, spontaneous KSG(R) mutants arise by a variety of ksgA mutations.
The evolution of neurosurgical instrumentation.

v t p l o n t Throughout history, innovation in surgical instrumentation has gone hand-in-hand with advances in neurosurgical technique. The founders of our specialty designed numerus surgical instruments to better address the surgical challenges hat they encountered. Some instruments were found to so perfectly erve their function that they are still in common use today. Such ools include the Cushing periosteal elevators, Penfield dissectors, nd Yasargil microscissors. Typically, as an operation proceeds in epth and complexity, the instruments used are progressively more odern in design. However, the absence of a “universal set” of craniotomy instruents demonstrates that individuality is a second principle of surical innovation. Different surgeons may solve similar problems hrough surprisingly diversemeans. Althoughmanyneurosurgeons racticing today have developed their own instruments, it is difficult o determine which designs will become the classic instruments of omorrow. Critical appraisal by independent neurosurgeons during period of time is needed to establish the true merit of a surgical nstrument. During the past 20 years, new developments in instrumentation ave enabledour treatment ofmany complex lesions in theposterior ossa and brainstem, including arteriovenous malformations, cavrnous malformations, and skull base tumors. For example, sepaating solid tumors from the surrounding brainstem or from a bony ttachment often requires more force than can be delivered with ommon microdissectors. Yet, the surgical corridors are far too arrow to introduce standard instruments. Therefore, a set of mirodissectors with intermediately sized handles have been prouced. They respond equally well to light touch or graduated presure. The tips have a shallow disk that effectively works its way hrough the cleavage plane. These instruments are available in three izes and three angles to provide many options for resecting deeply ituated lesions.
The association between inflammatory markers, serum lipids and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To examine the association of serum inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and serum lipid measures (low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol) with risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke (IS) among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using 2005–2010 data from a US commercial health plan. Eligible patients had two or more physician diagnoses of RA during a baseline period of at least 180 days with continuous medical and pharmacy coverage. We computed age-adjusted incidence rates of MI and IS, and used spline regression to assess non-linear associations and Cox-regression to quantify the independent association between the laboratory values and the outcomes. Results We identified 44 418 eligible RA patients (mean age 49 years; 76% women). CRP>10 mg/L compared with 42 mm/h compared with Conclusions This study provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that RA-related systemic inflammation plays a role in determining cardiovascular risk and a complex relationship between LDL and cardiovascular risk.
Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective on Markets, Law, Ethics, and Culture - by Jerry Evensky

The article reviews the book "Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective on Markets, Law, Ethics, and Culture," by Jerry Evensky.
Nucleosomes Inhibit Cas9 Endonuclease Activity in Vitro

During Cas9 genome editing in eukaryotic cells, the bacterial Cas9 enzyme cleaves DNA targets within chromatin. To understand how chromatin affects Cas9 targeting, we characterized Cas9 activity on nucleosome substrates in vitro. We find that Cas9 endonuclease activity is strongly inhibited when its target site is located within the nucleosome core. In contrast, the nucleosome structure does not affect Cas9 activity at a target site within the adjacent linker DNA. Analysis of target sites that partially overlap with the nucleosome edge indicates that the accessibility of the protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) is the critical determinant of Cas9 activity on a nucleosome.
Complete versus partial atrioventricular canal: Equal risks of repair in the modern era

Objective To assess the authors' hypothesis that with modern techniques, the current risks of repair for both complete and partial atrioventricular canal (AVC) are equal. Background Data Repair of complete AVC in infancy has traditionally carried a substantial mortality. In contrast, partial AVC has been considered low-risk for repair and can be performed later in childhood. Methods This was a retrospective review of 63 infants and children who underwent complete (n = 40) or partial AVC repair (n = 23) from 1990 to 2001. Among complete AVC patients, the ventriculoseptal defect was repaired via an individualized approach according to each patient's specific anatomy: direct suturing without a patch (n = 5) and/or interposition of a small pericardial patch with a running suture (n = 35). In all 63 patients the left AV valve cleft was closed with interrupted sutures, and all atrial defects were closed with a pericardial patch. Data were analyzed with the Student t test and Fisher exact test. Results Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Age at operation was 6.3 ± 2.0 months for complete AVC and 47.5 ± 6.1 months for partial AVC (P <.001). Bypass time was 65.2 ± 2.3 minutes for complete AVC and 58.3 ± 3.9 minutes for partial AVC (P =.1). Reoperation rate was 7.5% (3/40) for complete AVC and 13.0% (3/23) for partial AVC (P =.6). Early mortality was 2.5% (1/40) for complete AVC and 0% (0/23) for partial AVC (P =.6). Conclusions Compared to partial AVC, patients presenting for complete AVC repair are significantly younger and manifest more complex anatomy and pathophysiology. However, utilizing modern techniques, including an individualized surgical approach to the ventricular component, repair of complete AVC yields reoperation and early mortality rates similar to those of partial AVC.
Simulation of Shock-Tube Flows with Detailed Finite-Rate Chemistry by the CESE Method

The present paper reports the development of a high-fidelity numerical tool to model shock tube flows with detailed finite-rate chemistry models. The goal is to aid the shock-tube experiments for studying combustion in scramjet engines. The space-time Conservative Element and Solution Element (CESE) method is employed to solve the Euler equations for chemically reacting flows. The source terms of the species equations are integrated by using an efficient ODE integrator provided by Cantera with sub-time steps. The effect of these source terms are treated as an integral part of the space-time flux conservation in the setting of the CESE method. In this paper, two chemistry models are employed: (i) the GRI Mech 3.0 model for CH4/air reactions with 54 species and 325 reaction steps, and (ii) Wang's 1999 C2H4/O2 mechanism with 76 species and 529 reactions. Systematic code validation and verification are performed to obtain required space-time resolution for accurate prediction of ignition delay time for both fuels under various thermodynamic conditions. The present shock-tube tool can be used to assist further development of chemistry models and to aid shock-tube experimental data analysis for combustion of heavy hydrocarbon fuels to be used in scramjet engines.
Women Leaders in China Looking Back and Moving Forward

The ProblemLeadership research has received extensive attention; however, leadership research that focuses on women is still not part of the mainstream. Furthermore, our current knowledge about lea...
A multilevel study of structural resilience in interfirm collaboration: A network governance approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop the concept of a high performance alliance macro-culture as a multilevel construct reflective of resilient collaborative systems of exchange within strategic alliances and explores the distinct capabilities of this multilevel approach in predicting alliance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – The hypotheses developed in this study are tested using primary data collected from 650 members of 15 non-profit organizations in two multi-organizational collaborative networks. Considering the multilevel nature of the study the structural hypotheses are tested using a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis and the predictive hypotheses are tested using multilevel structural equation modeling. Findings – All but one structural hypothesis are supported and all predictive hypotheses are supported suggesting that a multilevel macro-cultural conceptualization is effective in exploring the relationship between collaborative exchange systems and their outcomes. Resear...