cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ligand-Based Targeting of Apoptosis in Cancer: The Potential of Recombinant Human Apoptosis Ligand 2/Tumor Necrosis Factor–Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (rhApo2L/TRAIL)

Cancer is a leading cause of premature human death and commands considerable research attention. Apoptosis (type 1 programmed cell death) is critical in maintaining tissue homeostasis in metazoan organisms, and its dysregulation underpins the initiation and progression of cancer. Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy can induce apoptosis as a secondary consequence of inflicting cell damage. However, more direct and selective strategies to manipulate the apoptotic process in cancer cells are emerging as potential therapeutic tools. Genetic and biochemical understanding of the cellular signaling mechanisms that control apoptosis has increased substantially during the last decade. These advances provide a strong scientific framework for developing several types of targeted proapoptotic anticancer therapies. One promising class of agents is the proapoptotic receptor agonists. Of these, recombinant human apoptosis ligand 2/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (rhApo2L/TRAIL)-an optimized soluble form of an endogenous apoptosis-inducing ligand-is unique in that it activates two related proapoptotic receptors, DR4 and DR5. Preclinical data indicate that rhApo2L/TRAIL can induce apoptosis in a broad range of human cancer cell lines while sparing most normal cell types. In vitro, and in various in vivo tumor xenograft models, rhApo2L/TRAIL exhibits single-agent antitumor activity and/or cooperation with certain conventional and targeted therapies. Preclinical safety studies in nonhuman primates show rhApo2L/TRAIL to be well tolerated. Moreover, early clinical trial data suggest that rhApo2L/TRAIL is generally safe and provide preliminary evidence for potential antitumor activity. Clinical studies are ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of this novel agent in combination with established anticancer therapies.
Clinical trials in spontaneous disease in dogs: a new paradigm for investigations of sepsis

Objective: To provide evidence that naturally occurring sepsis in dogs provides a unique opportunity to test new therapies in clinically relevant settings. Data sources: Human and veterinary literature. Human data synthesis: Sepsis is a devastating condition responsible for most intensive care unit deaths. Most clinical trials targeting inflammatory mediators of sepsis have failed to improve outcome in clinical patients despite promising results in laboratory animal models. Animal models of sepsis fail to reproduce the clinical syndrome and therefore lead to conclusions that may not be relevant to clinical care. Veterinary data synthesis: Sepsis is recognized but not well-characterized in companion animal species. Despite some species variability, the cardiopulmonary response to sepsis in dogs is similar to humans. Additionally, inflammatory and coagulation changes that accompany canine sepsis are consistent with those documented in humans. Sepsis secondary to canine parvoviral infection offers the advantages of relative population homogeneity, predictable course, and easy early diagnosis. The disadvantages of canine parvovirus are that it affects a predominantly young and healthy population and results in low mortality with aggressive supportive care. Septic peritonitis and pneumonia have high mortality but can be challenging to diagnose, have a variable course, and affect a heterogeneous population, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Conclusions: Similar to trials currently being performed in canine cancer patients, veterinary clinical trials of new sepsis therapeutics may provide a unique opportunity to advance the treatment of sepsis in dogs, humans, and other species. Spontaneous sepsis from canine parvovirus, peritonitis, and pneumonia are common clinical conditions in which therapeutics can be tested.
31P NMR spectroscopy of the in vivo metabolism of an intracerebral glioma in the rat.

The in vivo high-energy phosphorus metabolic profile and pH of an experimental intracerebral C6 glioma in rats was examined using surface coil 31P NMR spectroscopy. Initially, phosphorus-containing metabolites of the glioma were characterized by in vivo31P surface coil spectroscopy of subcutaneously implanted tumors and by high-resolution NMR studies of perchloric acid (PCA) extracts of both freeze-clamped subcutaneous tumor tissue and cultured cells. These studies demonstrated that the C6 glioma has reduced levels of phosphocreatine (PCr) compared to the levels found in normal rat brain. Thus, reduced spectral PCr levels were useful as a metabolic indicator for monitoring the spatial selectivity of tumor metabolism distinct from that of adjacent normal brain tissue. To maximize 31P NMR signals from intracerebral tumors, tumor cells were stercotaxically placed superficially in the brain. Proton magnetic resonance imaging (1H MRI) was used to determine the size and location of the resultant brain tumors in order to preselect rats with large superficial tumors for spectroscopic study. 31P NMR spectra of the glioma tumors revealed a consistent reduction in the PCr/ATP ratio, an increase in the Pi/ATP ratio, and a slightly increased tissue pH. No correlation was found between levels of Pi/ATP and tumor pH in subcutaneous or intracerebral gliomas and the amount of necrosis as determined histologically. This study demonstrates that phosphorus metabolites of an experimental brain tumor in the rat can be monitored in vivo with minimal contributions from adjacent normal brain tissue metabolites using surface coil 31P NMR spectroscopy. © 1988 Academic Press, Inc.
Diet-Induced Arteriopathies in the Rabbit Aorta and Oral Vasculature

Advanced atherosclerosis in the form of fibro-fatty intimal plaques has been produced in the rabbit aorta and oral vasculature (labial, lingual, gingival, palatal, periodontal and alveolar arteries) by dietary means. The animals were fed a hypercholesteremic diet and a normocholesteremic diet on alternate months for two years. In the aorta and in many of the oral vessels, the formation of the intimal atheromas was paralleled by a degeneration of the tunica media. The lingual arteries rivaled the aorta and coronary arteries in vulnerability to the diet-induced arteriopathies.
LipidMaps Core Update

LipidMaps (http://www.lipidmaps.org) is a multidisciplinary project involving multiple institutions. The goal of this project is to identify lipid metabolites and reconstruct pathways associated with lipids in mammalian cells using quantitative measurements of lipids in macrophage cells.
Continuous Small-Dose Tranexamic Acid Reduces Fibrinolysis but not Transfusion Requirements During Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Tranexamic acid (TA) is a synthetic drug that inhibits fibrinolysis. It has been administered to decrease the use of blood products during cardiac surgery and orthotopic liver transplantation when infused in larger doses. A small-dose infusion of aprotinin causes a reduction in fibrinolysis and blood product requirement during orthotopic liver transplantation without apparent risk of intravascular thrombosis. This prospective study was designed to investigate whether a small-dose infusion of TA would be equally effective in reducing fibrinolysis and blood product transfusions during orthotopic liver transplantation. A double-blind, controlled study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of a small-dose TA infusion with that of a placebo. Thirty-two consecutive patients were randomized either to the TA group (n = 16), which received an intravenous infusion of 2 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1), or to the control group (n = 16), which received an identical volume of normal saline. Coagulation values were measured, a field rating was made by the surgeon, and a thromboelastogram was produced at four predetermined intervals throughout the case-before TA infusion was started, after portal vein ligation, 10 min after reperfusion, and at the end of surgery. Intraoperative transfusion requirements were recorded during the procedure and for the first 24 h postoperatively. A record was kept of any intraoperative epsilon-aminocaproic acid administered for uncontrolled fibrinolysis. The thromboelastogram clot lysis index was significant for lysis in the control group during both the anhepatic and the neohepatic phases (P 20 microg/mL) in the control group at reperfusion (P 1 mg/L) in the control group at the end of surgery (P < 0.04). Nine of the 16 control patients versus 3 of the 16 TA patients required epsilon-aminocaproic acid rescue for fibrinolysis. There were no other significant differences between groups. Transfusion requirements during surgery and for the first 24 h postoperatively did not differ significantly between the two groups. We conclude that the use of small-dose TA reduces fibrinolysis but not transfusion requirements during orthotopic liver transplantation.
Coverage Dependent Evolution of Two-Dimensional Dendrimer/Mica Domain Patterns

For a two-dimensional, two-phase system of A and B, with competing short-range attractive and long-range repulsive interactions, the evolution of domain patterns as a function of area fraction should follow the sequence circular islands of A in a matrix of B (the droplet phase), alternating elongated domains of A and B (the striped phase), and circular islands of B in a matrix of A (the inverted droplet phase). The predicted domain pattern evolution is experimentally verified here for the case of dendrimer molecules on mica, a materials system amenable to control of the competing interactions. This result, along with the coverage dependence of the characteristic domain length scale, is reported for the first time. The domain patterns are fabricated by simple aerosol deposition of dilute solutions of dendrimer molecules in pentanol onto mica followed by slow evaporation. The long-range repulsive interaction in this case is electrostatic in origin and is associated with the contact potential between the neg...
Somoza and Roosevelt: Good Neighbour Diplomacy in Nicaragua, 1933-1945

Introduction Becoming good neighbors Good neighbour diplomacy and Somoza's rise to power, 1934-1935 Good neighbour economics in Nicaragua, 1933-1936 A new neighbour takes charge, 1935-1936 Good neighbour diplomacy and Somoza's retention of power, 1937-1939 The United States, Nicaragua, and World War Two, 1939-1941 The good neighbors at war, 1942-1944 Becoming bad neighbours Conclusion
Detection of Chemically‐Induced Damage in Layered DNA Films with Co(bpy)33+ by Square‐Wave Voltammetry

Damage of double stranded (ds) DNA by metabolites of lipophilic pollutants and drugs constitutes a major toxicity pathway. We evaluated films of DNA and poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA) grown layer-by-layer on pyrolytic graphite electrodes for the detection of DNA damage by the model metabolite styrene oxide, which forms chemical adducts with DNA bases. The method features electroactive probe Co(bpy)33+, which binds to films with DNA as the outer layer [(PDDA/ds-DNA)2] in greater amounts when the ds-DNA is intact than when it is damaged. Square-wave voltammetry peaks of Co(bpy)33+ decreased with incubation time of (PDDA/DNA)2 electrodes in styrene oxide solutions, while no changes in the peaks were found for control incubations with non-reactive toluene. Comparison with capillary electrophoretic analyses suggested that this voltammetric method can detect roughly 0.05% damage. The presence of hemoprotein in the films did not interfere with the analysis. The method appears promising for the rapid detection of relative rates of DNA damage by human liver metabolites.
Resistance between channels may lead to increased action potential efficiency

was measured using multiple previously established measures. Results of these simulations suggest that the energyefficiency of an action potential may be optimized by varying the relative area surrounding NaV and KDR channels as a function of the degree of resistance between these two channel types. This model predicts that the energy efficiency of action potentials may be smaller than predicted by most biophysical models and suggests that the relative concentrations and single-channel conductances of depolarizing Na and repolarizing K channels may be subject to selection based upon energy consumption. The model also displays an upper bound for the degree of resistance between sodium and potassium channels, beyond which the neuron fails to completely repolarize. Results from this simulation have also shown some disagreement in commonly-used measures of AP energy efficiency.
Testing an Idealized Dynamic Cascade Model of the Development of Serious Violence in Adolescence.

A dynamic cascade model of development of serious adolescent violence was proposed and tested through prospective inquiry with 754 children (50% male; 43% African American) from 27 schools at 4 geographic sites followed annually from kindergarten through Grade 11 (ages 5-18). Self, parent, teacher, peer, observer, and administrative reports provided data. Partial least squares analyses revealed a cascade of prediction and mediation: An early social context of disadvantage predicts harsh-inconsistent parenting, which predicts social and cognitive deficits, which predicts conduct problem behavior, which predicts elementary school social and academic failure, which predicts parental withdrawal from supervision and monitoring, which predicts deviant peer associations, which ultimately predicts adolescent violence. Findings suggest targets for in-depth inquiry and preventive intervention.
Applications of evolutionary strategies to fine-grained task scheduling

Embedding task graphs onto hypercubes is a difficult problem. When the embedding is one-to-one, schedule length is strongly influenced by dilation. Therefore, it is desirable to find low dilation embeddings. This paper describes a heuristic embedding technique based upon evolutionary strategies. The technique has been extensively investigated using task graphs which are trees, forests, and butterflies. In all cases the technique has found low dilation embeddings.
Sox9 Expression Is Not Limited to Chondroid Neoplasms: Variable Occurrence in Other Soft Tissue and Bone Tumors With Frequent Expression by Synovial Sarcomas:

The transcription factor Sox9 is known to play a crucial role in normal chondrogenesis, and antibodies against Sox9 have been proposed as a diagnostic tool for neoplasms with chondroid differentiation. However, the pattern of Sox9 immunohistochemical expression by other bone and soft tissue neoplasms, as well as its diagnostic specificity, remain unexplored. The authors have performed immunohistochemistry with antibodies against Sox9 in 106 chondroid and nonchondroid bone and soft tissue neoplasms. Moderate to intense Sox9 nuclear staining was observed in 14/20 chondrosarcomas (70%), and in 24/81 (29.6%) cases from a multitumor tissue microarray, which included 16/18 synovial sarcomas, 4/15 osteosarcomas, 2/5 peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)/Ewing sarcomas, 1/1 mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, and 1/1 chondroblastoma. The results suggest that Sox9 usefulness in the diagnosis of chondroid tumors may be limited because of low sensitivity and specificity. The finding of Sox9 expression by 88.9% of synovial sarcomas represents a novel and striking observation, which deserves further investigation.
Münchhausen Syndrome Simulating Acute Aortic Dissection

A young adult man presented to the emergency department reporting a convincing story for acute aortic dissection, a disorder in which diagnostic evaluations should occur in parallel with pharmacologic management. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated normal cardiac and aortic structures. Additional history was notable for extensive travel across numerous medical facilities with associated misrepresentation of his diagnosis and treatment. The patient was willing to undergo unpleasant and invasive procedures and succeeded at least once in the past to deceive clinicians to the point of performing a median sternotomy. The intentional presentation of false information leading to unnecessary treatments is consistent with Munchhausen Syndrome.
Passive mode-locking of monolithic InGaAs/AlGaAs double quantum well lasers at 42 GHz repetition rate

Pulse trains with a 42GHz repetition rate were generated by monolithic InGaAs/AlGaAs double quantum well lasers at a wavelength of 985 [angstroms]. The cavity was electrically divided into three regions, one providing gain and the other two providing saturable absorption. The optical modulation has a depth greater than 98% and full-width at half-maximum under 6ps, and bias conditions for sustained mode-locking are determined.
A critical role of CXCR2 PDZ-mediated interactions in endothelial progenitor cell homing and angiogenesis

Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to neovessel formation in response to growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Chemokine receptor CXCR2 and its cognate ligands are reported to mediate EPC recruitment and angiogenesis. CXCR2 possesses a consensus PSD-95/DlgA/ZO-1 (PDZ) motif which has been reported to modulate cellular signaling and functions. Here we examined the potential role of the PDZ motif in CXCR2-mediated EPC motility and angiogenesis. We observed that exogenous CXCR2 C-tail significantly inhibited in vitro EPC migratory responses and angiogenic activities, as well as in vivo EPC angiogenesis. However, the CXCR2 C-tail that lacks the PDZ motif (ΔTTL) did not cause any significant changes of these functions in EPCs. In addition, using biochemical assays, we demonstrated that the PDZ scaffold protein NHERF1 specifically interacted with CXCR2 and its downstream effector, PLC-β3, in EPCs. This suggests that NHERF1 might cluster CXCR2 and its relevant signaling molecules into a macromolecular signaling complex modulating EPC cellular functions. Taken together, our data revealed a critical role of a PDZ-based CXCR2 macromolecular complex in EPC homing and angiogenesis, suggesting that targeting this complex might be a novel and effective strategy to treat angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
Analytical time-dependent theory of thermally induced modal instabilities in high power fiber amplifiers

A time-dependent analytical model is rigorously derived which shows that the thermally induced modal instability in high power rare-earth doped fiber amplifiers is fundamentally a two-wave mixing between fundamental and higher-order modes through a thermally-induced grating imprinted by beating between these modes. We show that previously postulated movement of this grating to phase-match the coupling between the modes naturally occurs due to a finite thermal-response time of a fiber. This theory is consistent with experimental observations in that it accurately predicts the onset-like threshold and temporal instabilities in the kilohertz-frequency range.
The strategy map: guide to aligning intangible assets

Advice to senior management on how to use the balanced scorecard measurement system and the strategy map, a visual representation of the components of an organization’s strategy to leverage a corporation’s intangible assets. These include human capital; databases and information systems; responsive, high‐quality processes; customer relationships and brands; innovation capabilities; and culture. The author’s hypothesis: because an organization’s intangible assets may easily represent more than 75 percent of its value, then its strategy formulation and execution need to explicitly address their mobilization and alignment. The balanced scorecard tool and strategy map offer a framework to measure intangible assets and to describe strategies as a series of cause‐and‐effect linkages among objectives. They provide a language that executive teams can use to discuss the direction and priorities of their enterprises. This article also presents a case study of Crown Castle International, Inc.
Are Administrative Level, Age and Educational Preparation Reflected in California Psychological Inventory Scores?.

Relationships of administrative position, age, educational preparation to scores on the CPI scales were studied in 1018 randomly selected registered nurses from 31 VA Hospitals. Significant correla...
Co-ordination complexes of niobium and tantalum XVII. diperoxotetrafluoro-niobates (V) and tantalates (V)

Abstract Complexes of the formula (I)3[M(V) (O2)2F4] · H2O, [M(I) = Na, NH4, K; M(V) = Nb, Ta] have been prepared and characterized. These are stable crystalline salts, soluble in water, and which decompose at a relatively high temperature. The conductivity of the aqueous solutions indicates the presence of 3 1 electrolytes, and the infrared spectra show bands of coordinated peroxo groups and metal-fluoride stretchings. In addition, crystalline compounds have been obtained, the composition and conductivity of the aqueous solutions of which correspond to a double salt composition, KHF2 K2[M(V) (O2)F5]. The studies show a stepwise, pH-dependent formation of peroxo-fluoro complexes in hydrofluoric niobate and tantalate solutions containing peroxides.
A Pragmatic Approach to Summary Extraction in Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov, the National Library of Medicine clinical trials registry, is a monolingual clinical research website with over 29,000 records at present. The information is presented in static and free-text fields. Static fields contain high-level informational text, descriptors, and controlled vocabularies that remain constant across all clinical studies (headings, general information). Free-text data are detailed and trial-specific, such as the Purpose section, which presents each trial's goal, with large inter-trial variability in length as well as in technical difficulty. The crux of the trial purpose is generally found in 1--3 sentences, often introduced by clearly identified natural language markers.
Cost Sharing in Higher Education in Kenya: Examining the Undesired Policy Outcomes

Cost sharing in higher education is a policy that comes from the United States. The policy advocates that costs of higher education should be shared between the government, parents, students and/or donor organizations. Proponents of the policy (such as the World Bank) have over the years been advocating for its implementation in African countries. This is because the governments cannot afford to fully finance the increasing numbers of students pursuing higher education. This research study uses qualitative methods to reveal that this ‘one size fits all approach’ is particularly problematic within African societies for various reasons. The study furnishes recommendations, which are useful when implementing cost sharing in countries that are very different from the United States, in terms of the economy and family structure.
Human neutrophils employ myeloperoxidase to convert alpha-amino acids to a battery of reactive aldehydes: a pathway for aldehyde generation at sites of inflammation

We have recently demonstrated that activated phagocytes employ the heme protein myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and Cl- to oxidize the aromatic amino acid l-tyrosine to the reactive aldehyde p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. We now present evidence for the generality of this reaction by demonstrating that neutrophils employ the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-Cl- system to oxidize nearly all of the common alpha-amino acids to yield a family of reactive aldehydes. Chemical characterization suggested that reactive carbonyl moieties were generated during amino acid oxidation by myeloperoxidase. The structures of amino-acid-derived aldehydes were confirmed using a variety of mass spectrometric methods. Aldehyde production required myeloperoxidase, H2O2, Cl-, and an amino acid; it was inhibited by heme poisons and catalase. Hypochlorous acid was the apparent oxidizing intermediate because its addition to alpha-amino acids resulted in the formation of the anticipated aldehyde. Stimulated human neutrophils likewise generated aldehydes from all classes of alpha-amino acids by a pathway inhibited by heme poisons and catalase, implicating myeloperoxidase and H2O2 in the cell-mediated reaction. Aldehyde production accounted for a significant fraction of the H2O2 generated by stimulated neutrophils at physiological concentrations of amino acids. Collectively, these results suggest that amino-acid-derived aldehydes represent a product of reactive oxidant species generated by activated phagocytes.
The impact of obesity on outcomes after critical illness: a meta-analysis

To assess whether obesity is associated with mortality or other adverse intensive care unit (ICU) and post-ICU outcomes. A meta-analysis of studies from PubMed and EMBASE databases. Twenty-two studies (n = 88,051 patients) were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated no difference in ICU mortality, but lower hospital mortality for obese and morbidly obese subjects (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59, 0.92; RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.66, 1.04, respectively) versus normal weight subjects. There was no association between obesity and duration of mechanical ventilation or ICU stay. Morbidly obese versus normal weight patients had longer hospitalizations. No study reported physical function, mental health, or quality of life outcomes after discharge. Obesity is not associated with increased risk for ICU mortality, but may be associated with lower hospital mortality. There is a critical lack of research on how obesity may affect complications of critical illness and patient long-term outcomes.
Glucose transport by germinatingPilobolus longipes spores

Abstract Glucose transport activity was assayed in dormant spores and in those that had been activated by a brief exposure to glucose. Uptake by dormant spores was temperature sensitive, and followed saturation kinetics, but accelerated with time as the spores became activated. Previously activated spores showed higher uptake rates than dormant spores. Activation by the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 6-deoxyglucose produced the same effect. Competition and counterflow experiments demonstrated that glucose and 6-deoxyglucose were transported by the same system. The mechanism of uptake was probably facilitated diffusion, as uptake was nonconcentrative and not energy dependent. The kinetics of 6-deoxyglucose uptake indicated that spore activation was accompanied by an increase in the number of functional transport units and a change in their substrate affinities.
Star Formation Associated with the X-Ray Jet in Centaurus A

Blue stars are identified in the region of the inner gaseous filaments in the radio lobe northeast of the main body of the radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Comparison between the X-ray images recently acquired with the Chandra Observatory and optical images shows that the X-ray jet passes just north of the diffuse region DF 6 identified by Dufour & van den Bergh (1978). In an 88 × 88 field centered on the inner filaments, UBV photometry has been obtained for stars brighter than V = 24.5 mag. The photometry has been used to identify 31 blue stars with V brighter than 23.0 mag. Positions, photometry, and finding charts are given. We believe that most of these stars formed from the interaction of the jet with local concentrations of dust and gas. DF 6 itself is resolved into a tight association of blue stars that are evidently young. Other loose groups are observed and compared with the loose aggregates seen farther out. The brightest blue stars are presumably the youngest stars and tend to lie close to the X-ray jet. We suggest that the raw material for star formation is found in dust patches of small angular size in the area and that star formation is triggered by shocks initiated by the jet. The brightest blue object, with V = 18.85 mag, is most likely a peculiar foreground star and a point X-ray source. The second brightest blue object, with V = 20.11 mag, is slightly diffuse and thus probably an unresolved cluster at the distance of NGC 5128.
Cyclops: the AS-level connectivity observatory

In this paper we present Cyclops, a system that collects and displays information of AS-level connectivity extracted from looking glasses, route-servers and BGP tables and updates of hundreds of routers across the Internet. From an operational standpoint, Cyclops provides ISPs a view of how their connectivity is perceived from the outside, enabling a comparison between their observed connectivity and their intended connectivity. ISPs can use the tool to detect and diagnose BGP misconfigurations, route leakages or hijacks based on false AS path. From a research standpoint, Cyclops is able to provide a quick snapshot of the AS-level connectivity of each network, and provides mechanisms to infer the root cause of BGP (de)peerings, which is an important input to the study of AS-level topology models and inter-domain routing protocols.
Increasing understanding of patient needs during and after hospitalization.

Article-at-a-Glance Background The value of patient satisfaction surveys in health care improvement remains controversial. This study examined the value of alternative ways of identifying patient needs and estimating importance of those needs in improving the impact of satisfaction surveys. Methods Ninety-one acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients from three southeast U.S. community hospitals were surveyed in 1992. Critical incident and person-focused interviews were used to identify patient needs. Besides overall/global satisfaction with care, patients rated satisfaction with and importance of 12 care delivery and 18 information and support needs. Unmet need scores (importance minus satisfaction) were estimated. Derived importance scores were assessed by correlating global satisfaction with individual need satisfaction scores. A two-step process for identifying priority areas for improvement was proposed. Results Patients identified and assigned greater scores to unmet needs for information and support needs (not included in typical satisfaction surveys) compared to typically assessed care delivery needs ( p p > 0.3 for care delivery needs and r=−0.17, p > 0.4 for information and support needs). Needs that received high importance and low satisfaction scores were all information and support needs. Discussion Needs that patients consider very important are usually ignored in typical patient surveys. Derived approaches typically used to assess importance of need from satisfaction data may provide misleading results. If satisfaction surveys are to result in real performance improvement, a fresh examination of the content and importance assessment strategies, as proposed, is needed.
A CCD/CMOS focal-plane array edge detection processor implementing the multiscale veto algorithm

A prototype 32/spl times/32 array processor fabricated in 2-/spl mu/m charge coupled devices (CCD)/CMOS technology implementing the multiscale veto edge detection algorithm is presented. In this algorithm, differences between pixel values are computed in the original image, as well as after applying a series of smoothing filters of varying spatial scales. An edge exists between two pixels only if the magnitude of their difference is greater than a given threshold for all levels of smoothing tested. This algorithm maps particularly well to implementation as a focal plane processor as it requires only nearest neighbor communication. The CCD array performs the functions of image acquisition, charge loading and removal, and image smoothing. Analog circuits between each pair of pixels in the array compute the absolute value of difference between neighboring values and compare it to a global threshold. These circuits have been designed to allow reliable discrimination of differences from /spl sim/3.1% to /spl sim/10.1% of full scale range and thus meet the performance requirements of many machine vision applications.
Cost-Effectiveness of Computed Tomographic Angiography Before Reoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting A Decision-Analytic Model

Background—The risks of repeat thoracotomy can be reduced if thoracic multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is used to guide preventive surgical strategies (PSS: peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, circulatory arrest, and nonmedian sternotomy). We sought to define the cost-effectiveness of CTA using a Markov model. Methods and Results—We studied outcomes and costs of CTA and non-CTA strategies in a modeled cohort of 10 000 patients undergoing redo coronary artery bypass grafting. Rates of PSS implementation were anticipated to follow identification of risk by CTA. Transitions, costs, and utilities were informed by our experience and the literature. Sensitivity analyses included testing a range of costs of CTA and PSS on model outcome. In the reference case, cost and quality-adjusted life years accrued with the use of CTA ($74 869, 4.63 quality-adjusted life-years) were slightly higher than nonuse ($73 471, 4.59 quality-adjusted life-years), yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of...
THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES WHICH TAKE PLACE IN THE THYROID GLANDS OF GUINEA PIGS DURING THE PROCESS OF COMPENSATORY HYPERTROPHY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF IODINE ADMINISTRATION

In two previous publications (1) we have studied the effect of iodine administration on compensatory hypertrophy of the thyroid gland in guinea pigs; in a more recent, not yet published, series, we have extended these observations. In this paper we wish to correlate the facts thus established concerning the effect of iodine on the growth processes taking place in the thyroid gland with structural changes associated with these growth processes. In addition we shall refer more briefly to more recent experimental studies of Gray and Loeb (2) and of Rabinovitch (3) from our laboratory in which a marked effect of the administration of potassium iodide on the mitotic proliferation in the normal thyroid gland of the guinea pig was established. Furthermore, we wish to point out some of the problems still to be solved and to suggest some way in which previous observations concerning the effect of iodine on the thyroid gland might perhaps be harmonized with results obtained by Gray and Loeb, and by Rabinovitch.
Exploitation of Ambiguous Cues to Infer Terrorist Activity

To aid intelligence analysts in processing ambiguous data regarding nuclear terrorism threats, we develop a methodology that captures and accounts for the uncertainty in new information and incorporates prior beliefs on likely nuclear terrorist activity. This methodology can guide the analyst when making difficult decisions regarding what data are most critical to examine and what threats require greater attention. Our methodology is based on a Bayesian statistical approach that incorporates ambiguous cues to update prior beliefs of adversary activity. We characterize the general process of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States and describe, using a simplified example, how this can be represented by an event tree. We then define hypothetical cues for the example and give notional strengths to each cue. We also perform sensitivity analysis and show how cue strengths can affect inference. The method can be used to help support decisions regarding resource allocation and interdiction.
Bioavailability of particle-associated silver, cadmium, and zinc to the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus through dietary ingestion

We conducted experiments to determine effects of particle type on assimilatory metal bioavailability to Leptocheirus plumulosus,an infaunal, estuarine amphipod that is commonly used in sediment toxicity tests. The following particles were used to represent natural food items encountered by this surface-deposit and suspension-feeding amphipod: bacterial exopolymeric sediment coatings, polymeric coatings made from Spartina alterniflora extract, amorphous iron oxide coatings, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, the chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta, processed estuarine sediment, and fresh estuarine sediment. Bioavailability of the gamma-emitting radioisotopes 110m Ag, 109 Cd, and 65 Zn was measured as the efficiency with whichL. plumulosus assimilated metals from particles using pulse-chase methods. Ag and Cd assimilation efficiencies were highest from bacterial exopolymeric coatings. Zn assimilation efficiency exhibited considerable interexperimental variation; the highest Zn assimilation efficiencies were measured from phytoplankton and processed sediment. In general, Ag and Cd assimilation efficiencies from phytoplankton were low and not related to the proportion of metal associated with cell cytosol or cytoplasm, a phenomenon reported for other particle-ingesting invertebrates. Amphipod digestive processes explain differences in Ag and Cd assimilation efficiencies between exopolymeric coatings and phytoplankton. Results highlight the importance of labile polymeric organic carbon sediment coatings in dietary metals uptake by this benthic invertebrate, rather than recalcitrant organic carbon, mineralogical features such as iron oxides, or phytoplankton.
A songbird animal model for dissecting the genetic bases of autism spectrum disorder

The neural and genetic bases of human language development and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in which language impairment represents a core deficit, are poorly understood. Given that no single animal model can fully capture the behavioral and genetic complexity of ASD, work in songbird, an experimentally tractable animal model of vocal learning, can complement the valuable tool of rodent genetic models and contribute important insights to our understanding of the communication deficits observed in ASD. Like humans, but unlike traditional laboratory animals such as rodents or non-human primates, songbirds exhibit the capacity of vocal learning, a key subcomponent of language. Human speech and birdsong reveal important parallels, highlighting similar developmental critical periods, a homologous cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic circuitry, and a critical role for social influences in the learning of vocalizations. Here I highlight recent advances in using the songbird model to probe the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of neural circuitry for birdsong and, by analogy, human language, with the ultimate goal of identifying any shared or human unique biological pathways underscoring language development and its disruption in ASD.
Apprentice, Departure, and Demotion: An Examination of the Three Types of CEO–Board Chair Separation

Past research has consistently shown that separation of CEO and board chair roles has no systematic effect on firm performance. In this study, we introduce the different forms of such separation: apprentice, departure, and demotion. In a study of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 1500 and Fortune 1000 firms, we find that separation of the two leadership roles positively impacts future firm performance when current performance is poor, but negatively impacts future firm performance when current performance is high. We find that this effect is most dramatic for demotion separations. Finally, we test theory about the permanency of CEO-board chair separation. Our results show that the different types of CEO-board chair separation have very distinct consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
The Added Value of the Industry Cluster Approach to Economic Analysis, Strategy Development, and Service Delivery

Economic development always has been a moving target. Not surprisingly, there is growing evidence that the shape of economic policy and practice is changing significantly in many American states on the eve of the 21st century. This new approach has public officials addressing new issues, using new tools, and beginning to experience new types of results. It is called cluster-based economic analysis and strategy development. This article reviews key literature and events that point to a new phase emerging in state economic development. Then, using Arizona as a case study, it presents practical evidence of the benefits from this new approach. For example, Arizona uses clusters as a tool for better understanding the economy, getting key industry stakeholders together to address common problems, and providing high-value specialized services to key industries.
Brain aromatase, 5α‐reductase, and 5β‐reductase change seasonally in wild male song sparrows: Relationship to aggressive and sexual behavior

In many species, territoriality is expressed only during the breeding season, when plasma testosterone (T) is elevated. In contrast, in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia morphna), males are highly territorial during the breeding (spring) and nonbreeding (autumn) seasons, but not during molt (late summer). In autumn, plasma sex steroids are basal, and castration has no effect on aggression. However, inhibition of aromatase reduces nonbreeding aggression, suggesting that neural steroid metabolism may regulate aggressive behavior. In wild male song sparrows, we examined the neural distribution of aromatase mRNA and seasonal changes in the activities of aromatase, 5 alpha-, and 5 beta-reductase, enzymes that convert T to 17 beta-estradiol, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT, a potent androgen), or 5 beta-DHT (an inactive metabolite), respectively. Enzyme activities were measured in the diencephalon, ventromedial telencephalon (vmTEL, which includes avian amygdala), caudomedial neostriatum (NCM), and the hippocampus of birds captured during spring, molt, or autumn. Aromatase and 5 beta-reductase changed seasonally in a region-specific manner. Aromatase in the diencephalon was higher in spring than in molt and autumn, similar to seasonal changes in male sexual behavior. Aromatase activity in the vmTEL was high in both spring and autumn but significantly reduced at molt, similar to seasonal changes in aggression. 5 beta-Reductase was not elevated during molt, suggesting that low aggression during molt is not a result of increased inactivation of androgens. These data highlight the relevance of neural steroid metabolism to the expression of natural behaviors by free-living animals.
Constitutional Interpretation outside the Courts

David Currie's four volumes about constitutional interpretation in Congress from 1789 to the Civil War provide historians, political scientists, and legal scholars with important insights into American political development. The books shed light on the gradual erosion of Congress' capacity to interpret the Constitution and offer a solid basis for provocative speculation about the strength of the normative case for judicial review.
Petrogenesis of McKinney (Snake River) olivine tholeiite in light of rare-earth element and Cr/Ni distributions

Samples of McKinney Basalt, including a pillow glass, are characterized by light rare-earth element–enriched abundance patterns with small positive Eu anomalies (relative to chondrites) and high Cr/Ni ratios. In particular, the positive Eu anomaly observed in the pillow glass is considered to be characteristic of the McKinney parental magma. These compositional features are apparently inconsistent with derivation of McKinney magma by partial fusion of garnet- or plagioclase-bearing Iherzolite or clinopyroxenite or by crystal fractionation of likely liquidus phases at high or low pressure. Rather, partial melting calculations show that fusion of spinel peridotite or aluminous clinopyroxene peridotite can yield liquids with the rare-earth element patterns and Cr/Ni ratios of McKinney Basalt. An essential feature of the favored models is a relatively large contribution of clinopyroxene to the melt. This result suggests an origin of McKinney magma by fusion of mantle Iherzolite at pressures between the stability fields of plagioclase peridotite (low P ) and garnet peridotite or garnet clinopyroxenite (high P ), that is, at depths within the continental lithosphere in this region.
A semiquantitative enzyme method for identifying Fusobacterium necrophorum biovars A and B.

The present study describes a semiquantitative enzyme method for distinguishing among the pathogenic biovars of Fusobacterium necrophorum. Since 1891 when McFaydean first described the organism as the etiologic agent of a bovine and ovine hepatic necrosis, numerous investigators have made significant contributions to the characterization and nomenclature of the bacterium. In 1963, Fievez classified the 3 Sphaerophorus species as one species, S. necrophorus, with biovars A, AB, B, and C. Beerens et a1. in 1971 similarly characterized the 3 Sphaerophorus species as follows: S. necrophorus was hemolytic, had a hemagglutinin, and was pathogenic for mice; S. funduliformis was hemolytic, had no hemagglutmm, and demonstrated only slight pathogenicity for mice; and S. pseudonecrophorus was not hemolytic, had no hemagglutinin, and was not pathogenic for mice. Biovars A and AB as described by Fievez corresponded to S. necrophorus, biovar B corresponded to S. funduliformis, and biovar C corresponded to S. pseudonecrophorus. In 1970, the International Committee on Nomenclature of Bacteria Taxonomic Subcommittee for Gram-Negative Anaerobic Rods recommended that the genus Sphaerophorus be included in the genus Fusobacterium. 3 The present classification of F. necrophorum, as described in 1984 in the first edition of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 9 is based on biochemical characteristics, whereas the biovars of F. necrophorum, which have differences in cellular and colony morphology, are identified by their biological characteristics. Forty-two strains of F. necrophorum that had been previously isolated from bovine foot rot, bovine hepatic abscesses, 5 bovine ruminal contents and ovine hepatic abscesses were biotyped (Table 1) on the basis of direct hemagglutination (DHA) of chicken erythrocytes, sedimentation in broth culture, colony characteristics on enriched brain-heart infusion blood agar (BHIBA), and cellular morphology observed on gram-stained slides. The DHA tests were conducted as previously described. Twenty strains were identified as biovar A; 21 as biovar B; and 1 as biovar AB, which has morphologic characteristics of both biovars A and B and falls between these biovars on the basis of DHA and sedimentation pattern. The 42 strains were evaluated for their enzyme activities on 19 substrates using a commercial semiquantitative enzyme system as described by the manufacturer. Briefly, colonies from a BHIBA plate that had been incubated anaerobically in an atmosphere of 10% carbon dioxide, 10% hydrogen, and 80% nitrogen for 48 hours were suspended in
National differences in psychiatric morbidity: methodological issues, scientific interpretations and social implications.

If national differences in psychiatric morbidity could be established, this information could guide us towards greater understanding of psychopathology and perhaps aid in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of psychiatric disorders. Obstacles to determining national differences include application of epidemiological concepts in psychiatry, diagnostic criteria and reliability, sampling and data collection problems, and factors affecting rates which are not constant across nations (e.g., mortality associated with psychiatric disorder, migration). Despite these problems, four diagnostic entities are considered from the standpoint of national differences (i.e., schizophrenia, substance abuse, mental retardation, and pathoplastic or "culture bound" disorders). Three examples of social or "supra-diagnostic" problems relevant to national differences in psychiatric morbidity are also addressed: youth as a high risk group, homeless mentally ill, and adversive migration.