cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disposition of elderly patients after head and neck reconstruction.

Importance A patient’s needs at discharge, particularly the need for nursing facility placement, may affect hospital length of stay and health care costs. The association between age and disposition after microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck has yet to be reported in the literature. Objective To determine whether elderly patients are more likely to be discharged to a nursing or other care facility as opposed to returning home after microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. Design, Setting, and Participants From January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2010, patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction at an academic medical center were identified and their medical records systematically reviewed. During the study period, 457 patients were identified byCurrent Procedural Terminologycodes for microvascular free tissue transfer for a head and neck defect regardless of cause. Seven patients were excluded for inadequate data on the postoperative disposition or American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. A total of 450 were included for analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic and surgical data were collected, including the patient age, ASA score, and postoperative length of stay. These variables were then compared between groups of patients discharged to different posthospitalization care facilities. Results The mean age of participants was 59.1 years. Most patients (n = 386 [85.8%]) were discharged home with or without home health services. The mean age of those discharged home was 57.5 years; discharge to home was the reference for comparison and odds ratio (OR) calculation. For those discharged to a skilled nursing facility, mean age was 67.1 years (OR, 1.055;P Conclusions and Relevance Elderly patients are less likely to be discharged home after free flap reconstruction. Age, ASA score, and length of stay are independent factors for discharge to a nursing or other care facility.
PASSaGE: Pattern Analysis, Spatial Statistics and Geographic Exegesis. Version 2

Summary 1. Spatial analysis has become increasingly popular in the biological sciences, particularly in disciplines such as landscape ecology and landscape genetics. However, many statistical functions for performing spatial analysis are not readily available (except in the most limited manner) in common, easy-to-use statistical packages or geographic information systems (GIS) software. 2. Over the last decade, the software package Pattern Analysis, Spatial Statistics and Geographic Exegesis (PASSaGE) has been popular tool for conducting spatial statistics. PASSaGE is completely free and has a user-friendly graphical user interface. A new version of PASSaGE, rewritten from the ground up, has now been released and is available for download. 3. PASSaGE 2 is significantly more user friendly than the original release and provides an excellent platform for both scientific analysis and classroom training. PASSaGE 2 includes a broad array of spatial statistical analyses not commonly found in other software packages or GIS software, all in an easy-to-use framework. It includes support for one-, two- and three-dimensional spatial analysis, including a number of unique and newly developed approaches.
Switching in elemental amorphous semiconductors

Abstract Electrical switching phenomenon in amorphous thin films of boron, silicon and germanium is described. The effect of temperature and shelf-life on the threshold and sustaining voltages has been studied. The threshold voltage decreases with increasing temperature while the sustaining voltage is approximately independent of temperature. Both the voltages do not vary significantly with shelf-life. A memory effect is observed in amorphous silicon.
Improved TEM samples of semiconductors prepared by a small-angle cleavage technique

A small-angle cleavage technique has been developed that produces superior transmission electron microscope (TEM) samples of semiconductors and related materials. The technique involves back-thinning the sample to approximately 100 μm, then scribing a groove on this back face at a specified small angle to a standard cleavage plane. The sample is cleaved along this scribe line followed by cleaving along the standard cleavage plane to produce a thin wedged sample. Samples prepared by this method are characterized and compared with conventional and low-angle ion milled samples. The technique is illustrated, and the characteristic geometry of the cleaved sample is explained in terms of a simplified cleavage model. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Determinants of high somatic cell count prevalence in dairy herds practicing teat dipping and dry cow therapy and with no evidence of Streptococcus agalactiae on repeated bulk tank milk examination

Abstract A series of least squares analytical models were developed in a cross-sectional epidemiologic study of observed variability in within-herd high milk somatic cell count (SCC) prevalence. The study population was restricted to Ohio (U.S.A.) dairy cow herds where post-milking antiseptic teat dipping and prophylactic dry cow antibiotic therapy of all cows were practiced. Additionally, no Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from repeated bulk tank milk screening of these herds. The first analysis considered 12-month herd average high SCC prevalence as the dependent variable. The second analysis narrowed the herd average calculation to a 3-month or seasonal interval, while the third analysis included age adjustment of the 3-month rolling herd average high SCC prevalence. All of the models identified significant main effects and significant first order interactions of main effects. Milking order was a significant factor in all models, as were four interactions: washing teats only and rinsing teat cups between cows; washing with a common cloth or sponge and milking order; washing teats only and elapsed time between udder preparation and teat cup attachment; and elapsed time between udder preparation and teat cup attachment, and rinsing teat cups between cows.
Endoloop as the First Line Tool for Appendiceal Stump Closure in Children with Appendicitis

Purpose The objective of this study is to compare outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) performed either (1) using an endostapler (ES) to divide the appendix and mesoappendix or (2) using endoloops (ELs) to close the appendiceal stump and electrocautery to divide the mesoappendix. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent LA for suspected appendicitis 4 years at a free standing children's hospital. The use of EL and ES was compared separately in patients with perforated and nonperforated appendicitis. We compared patient characteristics and outcomes. Results There were no significant differences in rate of postoperative abscess, rate of subsequent small bowel obstruction requiring operation or rate of intraperitoneal hematoma between the ES and EL groups for both nonperforated and perforated appendectomy cases. Superficial wound infection was more common in the nonperforated EL group (17/309, 5.5%) than in the nonperforated ES group (2/235, 0.9%; p = 0.007). Operative time for the EL technique (52.2 ± 15.8 minutes; p = 0.047) was shorter than for the ES technique (58 ± 23.2 minutes) for patients with perforated appendicitis. Conclusion EL stump closure and mesoappendix cauterization during LA is safe and effective in children with appendicitis, including perforated appendicitis.
Right ventricle-to-aorta conduit in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and coronary sinusoids

Abstract A 20-month-old girl with pulmonary arresia, intact ventricular septum, and ventriculocoronary connections underwent successful interposition of a right ventricle-toaorta conduit and Fortan operation. The patient initially had a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt at birth and subsequently a bidirectional Glenn shunt at 8 months of age. After Fontan and right ventricle-to-aorta conduit placement, the suprasystemic right ventricular pressure dropped to systemic levels without causing myocardial injury. Additionally, the right ventricular cavity enlarged. We believe that the use of a right ventricle-toaorta conduit should provide a valuable aliernative and improve the outlook of ceitain patients with pulmonary atresia, intact ventricular septum, and ventriculocotonary connections.
General conditions for subsidy-free prices

Abstract In the traditional view, prices are subsidy-free as long as they are no greater than stand-alone cost and no less than incremental cost. This assumes that only specialized firms provide rivalry. However, diverse firms also provide rivalry called multilateral rivalry. This paper explores how multilateral rivalry that results from economies of scope affects subsidy-free prices. This rivalry shrinks the range of subsidy-free prices—the new upper bound is less than stand-alone cost and the new lower bound is greater than incremental cost. In effect, this rivalry forces a sharing of economies of scope among products.
Utilization of Hyperinsulinemia Euglycemia and Intravenous Fat Emulsion Following Poison Center Recommendations

Hyperinsulinemia euglycemia (HIE) and intravenous fat emulsion (IFE) may be beneficial in the treatment of calcium channel (CCB) and beta receptor (BB) antagonist toxicity. Many poison control centers (PCC) now recommend use. Healthcare providers may be unfamiliar with these treatments and may not institute them despite recommendations. We sought to determine how often HIE and IFE are recommended by a statewide PCC in CCB and BB toxicity, how often those recommendations are implemented, and whether a faxable information sheet increased adherence. All cases of CCB and BB exposure from January 2005–July 2011 where insulin or “other therapy” was coded were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included an incomplete PCC record, miscoding, and insulin administration as other than cardiovascular drug antidotal therapy. There were 215 CCB or BB exposures initially identified using the search criteria. HIE was recommended in 71 cases and started in one case prior to PCC recommendation. HIE was subsequently used in 30 cases after PCC recommendation (42 %). IFE was recommended by the PCC in 30 cases and implemented 10 times (33 %). In six cases, both HIE and IFE were implemented after recommendation. There was no statistical difference when recommendation was made via telephone or by faxable information sheet for HIE or IFE. HIE and IFE are two therapies that are potentially beneficial in the treatment of BB and CCB toxicity. Current national organization guidelines for use are limited. Exploration of reasons for not following recommendations and additional efforts to improve clinician education regarding HIE and IFE may be required to increase the utilization of these potentially lifesaving antidotes.
The Computer and the Concept of Text.

The applications of the computer to literary study that Ellis and Favat described in 1966 must indeed have seemed to promise radical new revelations about the internal structure of particular literary works and new and broader horizons for literary theory. Now, ten years later, it is time to inquire whether the computer has been used in ways that significantly alter our view of the literary universe, or whether it has merely been used to show, in more distinct outline and with more substantiating data, what we already knew to be there. In order to make this inquiry easier for us to pursue together, let me state at the outset that I believe that the use of the
INDIVIDUAL PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS AND OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE ON DUAL ANTIPLATELET THERAPY

Observational studies evaluating the possible interaction between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and clopidogrel have shown mixed results. We conducted a systematic review comparing the effectiveness and safety of individual PPIs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) taking clopidogrel.
Chaetoceros amanita Cleve-Euler (Bacillariophyceae) from Blue Lake Warm Spring, Utah, USA

Abstract Chaetoceros amanita Cleve-Euler was observed in a warm brackish spring in the Great Basin desert of Utah, USA. Our report represents the first occurrence of this species in North America and the first complete description of vegetative cells for the taxon. This taxon produces long chains of lightly silicified cells due to the fusion of setae. Similar to several other freshwater species of Chaetoceros, this taxon produces resting spores with domed primary valves and truncated, protruded secondary valves. Both temporal and geographical distribution of this taxon are disjunct.
Simple and modified Poole-Frenkel conduction in thin ZnTe films

Abstract We investigated the conduction mechanism in thin ZnTe films. Above room temperature the transport mechanism is governed by spherical uniform emission of holes from acceptors lying some 0.7 eV above the valence band edge. Depending on the evaporation conditions, simple or modified Poole-Frenkel emission may occur.
Tractive characteristics of radial ply and bias ply tyres in a California soil

Abstract Four tyres (18.4-38, 18.4R38, 14.9-28, 14.9R28) were tested using the UCD single wheel traction tester. Each tyre was tested at two different inflation pressures and three different vertical loads at each inflation pressure. All tests were conducted in a well tilled Yolo loam soil. A dimensional analysis procedure was used to design and analyse the experiment. Two models were considered: (A) using inflation pressure as a variable, and (B) using tyre deflection as a variable. The effect of tyre type, tyre size, tyre inflation pressure and dynamic load on (1) net traction ratio at 20% slip and (2) average tractive efficiency in the 0–30% slip range were investigated using an ANOVA technique. An estimate of the possible energy savings due to the use of radial ply tyres instead of bias ply tyres in California agriculture was made.
A generalized Pearson random walk allowing for bias

We calculate asymptotic values of the first two moments of a planar walk in which the step lengths depend on the direction of motion. The model is suggested by experiments on the locomotion of biological cells. Internally induced persistence due to nonuniform turn angle distributions is also accounted for.
When Life Support Is Questioned Early in the Care of Patients with Cervical-Level Quadriplegia

Some patients with cervical spinal cord injuries ask to die. It is generally held that a competent, informed adult has the right to forgo medical treatment, even life-sustaining therapy1. Furthermo...
The effect of concentration and temperature on gelation time

Abstract An empirical equation of the form t = ac−Q/RT has been presented which represents the variation of the setting time (t) of a gel with both concentration (c) and temperature (T). This functions as a modified type of Arrhenius' equation at constant concentration, and expresses the kinetics of gelation at constant temperature. Plots of log t vs. (log c)/T yield a straight line, suggesting that reaction order varies with temperature, and activation energy with concentration. The condition of equal setting time, achieved with increasing concentrations at elevated temperatures, is possibly the point of balance between (a) the concentration of primary colloidal particles, and (b) the extent of secondary aggregation, the latter factor being dominant at low concentrations and temperatures, and the former at higher ones.
Behavioral Energetics of Lactation in a Herbivorous Carnivore, the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)

In most mammals, the energetic costs of lactation significantly increase a female's daily energy requirements. Previous research indicates that such energetic costs may be met through changes in increased food consumption ranging from around 35 % to 150 %. In this paper, changes in food intake during lactation are measured in the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), a species of the order Carnivora which possesses a digestive system suited for a carnivorous diet but yet exclusively feeds on bamboo. Four feeding characteristics were studied: duration of feeding bouts, number of bamboo leaves consumed per mouthful, number of bamboo leaves consumed per minute, and interval between mouthfuls of bamboo. In three lactating females, three of four feeding behaviors significantly increased up to 200 % above the rate observed during non-lactation. Males showed no change in feeding behavior during the same reproductive months with identical available foods. Red pandas appear to suffer a more severe energetic cost during lactation (at least with respect to food consumption) than other mammals previously studied. This may relate to their inefficient digestive capacity to process a herbivorous diet of bamboo. The data presented here suggest that general discussions of the relative costs of reproduction and in turn parental investment should include a female's relative digestive efficiency during stressful reproductive periods.
Establishing a health outcomes and economics center in radiology: strategies and resources required.

Abstract Purpose. To describe the resources and strategies required to establish a health outcomes and economics center in radiology. Methods. Human and nonhuman resources required to perform sound outcomes and economics studies in radiology are reviewed. Results. Human resources needed include skilled medical and nonmedical staff. Nonhuman resources required are: (1) communication and information network; (2) education tools and training programs; (3) budgetary strategies; and (4) sources of income. Effective utilization of these resources allows the performance of robust operational and clinical research projects in decision analysis, cost-effectiveness, diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curves), and clinical analytical and experimental studies. Conclusion. As new radiologic technology and techniques are introduced in medicine, society is increasingly demanding sound clinical studies that will determine the impact of radiologic studies on patient outcome. Health-care funding is scarce, and therefore third-party payers and hospitals are demanding more efficiency and productivity from radiologic service providers. To meet these challenges, radiology departments could establish health outcomes and economics centers to study the clinical effectiveness of imaging and its impact on patient outcome.
Febuxostat : A novel, non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Objective:To review the pharmacology and clinical data for febuxostat in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia.Data Sources:Articles on febuxostat published in English between 1966 and November 2...
Smoking, DNA repair capacity and risk of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Tobacco-related carcinogens cause a variety of DNA damage that is repaired by different enzymatic pathways, suggesting that DNA repair plays an important role in tobacco-induced carcinogenesis. In a large hospital-based case-control study, we investigated DNA repair capacity (DRC) as a biomarker for susceptibility to nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated the possible interaction between DRC and tobacco smoke in 467 newly diagnosed NSCLC patients and 488 cancer-free controls. We measured DRC in cultured peripheral lymphocytes using the host-cell reactivation assay with a reporter gene damaged by an activated tobacco carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide. The results showed that current smokers exhibited the highest DRCs as compared to former and nonsmokers both among patients and control subjects. There were no differences of DRC among 3 different histopathologic types of NSCLC. Logistic regression analysis revealed that suboptimal DRC and pack-years smoked were independent predictors of NSCLC risk. The overall 15.5% reduction in DRC observed in the cases (7.84%) compared to the controls (9.28%) (p<0.001) was associated with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of NSCLC (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-2.42). There was a significant dose-response association between decreased DRC and increased risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, we observed a nonstatistically significant additive but not multiplicative interaction between DRC and pack-years smoked on lung cancer risk, particularly in the histopathologic types of NSCLC other than adenocarcinoma. The results suggest that suboptimal DRC is associated with increased risk of NSCLC and DRC may modulate the risk of lung cancer associated with smoking but the latter needs to be verified in larger studies.
A New Raman Spectroscopic Probe of Both the Protonation State and Noncovalent Interactions of Histidine Residues

The amino acid histidine (His) has a number of unique roles that can dictate function in proteins, and these roles are typically conferred through noncovalent interactions that depend on the protonation state of His’s 4-substituted imidazole ring. His’s protonation state can vary near physiological pH, and a probe of His’s variable protonation state and its resulting noncovalent interactions that has both high time resolution and no sample limitations could find wide use in determining the role of particular His residues in proteins. Here we use a classic deuterium exchange reaction to replace the C2–H hydrogen atom of the His imidazole ring with deuterium, leading to a unique aromatic C2–D stretching vibration whose frequency is sensitive to environmental changes across the entire imidazole ring. Using nonresonant Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate using model compounds that the frequency of this C2–D vibration shifts by 35 cm–1 upon changes in the His protonation state. The C2–D band is a very weak infr...
Promoting Voluntary Reading: Activities Represented in Basal Reader Manuals.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine if activities that promote voluntary reading are present in lesson plans found in teachers’ manuals of basal readers. Six sets of basal readers for grades K through 3 were analyzed for inclusion of 14 activities. In the 2,733 selections analyzed, nine elements appeared in less than 1% of the stories and five appeared in 5% or more. Differences between publishers in the use of these latter five elements were found. Additionally, there were no differences in use between grades, and four of the five elements appeared significantly more in the supplementary section of the basal lessons than in the main portion of the lesson plan.
An investigation of the metal coordination of l-norepinephrine and ATP by nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract The interactions of l-norepinephrine (NE) and adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP) with Cu(III) and Zn(II) were investigated by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results indicated significant coordination of Cu(II) by NE even at the p[D] of mixing (i.e. p[D] = 4). Both the pyrocatechol and the ethanolamine groups of the NE molecule were involved in the chelation. The Cu(II)-ATP interaction resulted in the coordination of the metal by the adenine nitrogens and the phosphate group. In the combined presence of ATP and NE, it was found that Cu(II) was predominantly bound by ATP at low p[D]'s, i.e. p[D] = 3–5, followed by additional chelation with NE at p[D] = 7. These observations were in agreement with our earlier conclusions based on potentiometric equilibrium data[3]. In the case of the Zn(II)-ATP system, the coordination was mainly with the phosphate group. At the p[D] of mixing (p[D] = 6) the interaction of NE was not clearly indicated. In the mixed ligand system, i.e. ATP+NE, Zn(II) was mainly chelated with ATP at low p[D] (p[D] = 5). In the combined presence of Cu(II) and Zn(II), a predominant chelation of the mixed ligands with Cu(II) was strongly indicated.
On the spectral controllability of delay-differential equations

A computable necessary and sufficient condition is proved for the spectral controllability of a class of linear hereditary systems and a counterexample is given to a previously published result.
Local slow-light engineering: Correlating out-of-plane phenomena with in-plane optical processing

While the promise of implementing slow light into integrated photonic circuitry offers all-optical processing and nextgeneration functionality such as scalable quantum information processing, serious problems associated with both the intrinsic and extrinsic physics of slow light threaten to compromise real-world implementations. In this work, we offer a practical implementation of slow light that is not affected by these issues. When slow light is actualized below certain length scales, it can used to enhance the functionality of already optimized photonic architectures and enable novel capabilities. One such important capability is to highly couple and correlate out-of-plane phenomena, such as optical trapping or single-photon extraction, with in-plane optical processing, such as interferometry and optical transmission in a compact area. We first present the theoretical arguments for such an implementation and then present two applications where local slow light engineering enables important functionality: scalable quantum information circuitry and compact single-molecule cellular phenotyping.
Woody debris contribution to the carbon budget of selectively logged and maturing mid-latitude forests

Woody debris (WD) is an important component of forest C budgets, both as a C reservoir and source of CO2 to the atmosphere. We used an infrared gas analyzer and closed dynamic chamber to measure CO2 efflux from downed coarse WD (CWD; diameter≥7.5 cm) and fine WD (FWD; 7.5 cm>diameter≥2 cm) to assess respiration in a selectively logged forest and a maturing forest (control site) in the northeastern USA. We developed two linear regression models to predict WD respiration: one based on WD temperature, moisture, and size (R 2=0.57), and the other on decay class and air temperature (R 2=0.32). WD respiration (0.28±0.09 Mg C ha−1 year−1) contributed only ≈2% of total ecosystem respiration (12.3±0.7 Mg C ha−1 year−1, 1999–2003), but net C flux from CWD accounted for up to 30% of net ecosystem exchange in the maturing forest. C flux from CWD on the logged site increased modestly, from 0.61±0.29 Mg C ha−1 year−1 prior to logging to 0.77±0.23 Mg C ha−1 year−1 after logging, reflecting increased CWD stocks. FWD biomass and associated respiration flux were ≈7 times and ≈5 times greater, respectively, in the logged site than the control site. The net C flux associated with CWD, including inputs and respiratory outputs, was 0.35±0.19 Mg C ha−1 year−1 (net C sink) in the control site and −0.30±0.30 Mg C ha−1 year−1 (net C source) in the logged site. We infer that accumulation of WD may represent a small net C sink in maturing northern hardwood forests. Disturbance, such as selective logging, can enlarge the WD pool, increasing the net C flux from the WD pool to the atmosphere and potentially causing it to become a net C source.
The evolutionary imprint of domestication on genome variation and function of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae.

Summary The domestication of animals, plants, and microbes fundamentally transformed the lifestyle and demography of the human species [1]. Although the genetic and functional underpinnings of animal and plant domestication are well understood, little is known about microbe domestication [2–6]. Here, we systematically examined genome-wide sequence and functional variation between the domesticated fungus Aspergillus oryzae , whose saccharification abilities humans have harnessed for thousands of years to produce sake, soy sauce, and miso from starch-rich grains, and its wild relative A. flavus , a potentially toxigenic plant and animal pathogen [7]. We discovered dramatic changes in the sequence variation and abundance profiles of genes and wholesale primary and secondary metabolic pathways between domesticated and wild relative isolates during growth on rice. Our data suggest that, through selection by humans, an atoxigenic lineage of A. flavus gradually evolved into a "cell factory" for enzymes and metabolites involved in the saccharification process. These results suggest that whereas animal and plant domestication was largely driven by Neolithic "genetic tinkering" of developmental pathways, microbe domestication was driven by extensive remodeling of metabolism.
Pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis: Basis for future therapies

Despite an increase in the number of rheumatologists in clinical practice over the past 15 years, the outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains relatively poor. The poor prognosis for patients with this disease is due to a lack of effective therapies. Better therapies will be developed only after the cause and pathogenesis of RA are better understood. Although the precise cause is unknown, a variety of evidence indicates that RA results from the presentation of a relevant antigen to an immunogenetically susceptible host. This report reviews recognized potential antigens and known genetic variables affecting the immune response, as well as the various cellular and humoral immune responses that result from the antigen-host interaction. More successful therapy for RA will most certainly result from a better understanding of the pathobiology of the disease.
Role of depression in outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective. To prospectively measure the prevalence and effect of symptomatic depression on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients’ quality of life (QOL), disease severity, and outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).Study Design. Prospective cohort study.Setting. Academic, tertiary care center.Subjects and Methods. Seventy-six patients with CRS were enrolled prior to ESS and followed postoperatively for a mean (SD) of 13.3 (5.4) months. Lund-Mackay computed tomography score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score, Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), 2 disease-specific QOL instruments (Rhinosinusitis Disability Index [RSDI] and Chronic Sinusitis Survey [CSS]), and 1 general QOL instrument (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form–36 [SF-36]) were measured. Differences in outcome scores were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results. Only 7 (9.2%) patients reported a history of depression, but 19 (25.0%) patients scored in the range of moderate or severe depression on the PHQ-9. Mean (SD) preoperativ...
CCK receptors in release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in dogs.

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is released after ingestion of protein-fat meals and following administration of some gut hormones (CCK and bombesin), but the hormonal contribution to the physiological release of PP has not been elucidated. We used specific and potent CCK-receptor antagonist, L-364,718, administered intravenously in a dose of 0.5 μmol/kg or intraduodenally in a dose of 2 μmol/kg to assess the role of CCK in the release of PP. Exogenous CCK-8 infused intravenously in gradually increasing doses (12.5–400 pmol/kg/hr) caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma PP from basal 28±4 pM to 136±18 pM, and this PP increase was completely suppressed by both intravenous and intraduodenal administration of L-364,718. Meat feeding caused a dramatic increase in plasma PP from a basal level of 26±4 pM to a peak of about 190±32 pM, and the pretreatment with intravenous or intraduodenal L-364,718 reduced this PP increase by about 60%. Duodenal perfusion with oleate (0.12–4.0 mmol/hr) or L-Trp (0.12–4.0 mmol/hr) also increased plasma PP, reaching, respectively, 180±28 pM and 76±6 pM. Pretreatment with intravenous or intraduodenal L-364,718 completely abolished the plasma PP responses to oleate and l-Trp. Bombesin (100 pmol/kglhr) raised plasma PP to the level similar to that achieved by meat feeding and L-364,718 given intravenously or intraduodenally blocked completely these plasma PP increments. L-364,718 did not affect basal pancreatic secretion but reduced by about 60% the pancreatic protein response to meat feeding and abolished completely the protein response to exogenous CCK and bombesin as well as to duodenal perfusion with oleate or l-Trp. We conclude that the plasma PP concentrations increase during the pancreatic secretion induced by endogenous (meat feeding, duodenal oleate or amino acids) and exogenous (CCK or bombesin) stimulants and that this increase involves the CCK receptors.
Effects of substrate branching characteristics on kinetics of enzymatic depolymerizaion of mixed linear and branched polysaccharides: I. Amylose/amylopectin alpha-amylolysis.

Hydrolysis reactions of homopolysaccharides, which differ in their degree of branching, and mixtures of linear and branched polymers were carried out with alpha-amylase. The branching structures of both the original amylopectin substrate and the cluster domains of amylopectin, obtained by ethanol precipitation of the products of the action of alpha-amylase, were characterized via enzymatic digestion with debranching enzyme (i.e., isoamylase), followed by the fractions of the resulting products using gel filtration chromatography. The structural properties (i.e., molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and branching characteristics) of the resulting products during depolymerization of amylose, amylopectin and their mixtures via alpha-amylase were characterized by size exclusion chromatography coupled with a low angle laser right scattering (SEC/LALLS) technique. It was determined that substrate branching characteristics strongly influence both the observed enzymatic activity as well as the enzyme's action pattern. A simplified kinetic model that represents the hydrolysis reactions of amylose and amylopectin mixtures via endo-acting alpha-amylase is proposed. We found that that reaction kinetics (i.e., enzyme affinity) was also governed by the substrate's conformation in solution. The relationships between the mass fraction of branched polymers and the kinetic parameters during alpha-amylolysis were compared with those predicted by the kinetic model. Excellent agreement was found between the model predictions and the experimental observations. The results reported here imply and interrelationship between enzyme action and polymeric substrate structural properties. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The relative effects of processing instruction and meaning-based output instruction on L2 acquisition of the English subjunctive

This study investigates the impacts of an input-based instruction (processing instruction, PI) and an output-based instruction (meaning-based output instruction, MOI) on the acquisition of the English present subjunctive form by Turkish EFL learners. There were three groups of participants involved in the study: (N=64). PI (n=19), MOI (n=23), and Control (n=22). The PI treatment consisted of structured input (SI) activities that involved sentence-level interpretation and production tasks whereas the MOI treatment involved structured output (SO) activities that required the participants to produce the subjunctive form to convey meaning. The improved performance of both instructional groups was equal at the interpretation level; however, at the production level the MOI group performed significantly better than the PI group.
Zymosan-mediated inflammation impairs in vivo reverse cholesterol transport

Inflammation has been proposed to impair HDL function and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We investigated the effects of inflammation mediated by zymosan, a yeast glucan, on multiple steps along the RCT pathway in vivo and ex vivo. Acute inflammation with 70 mg/kg zymosan impaired RCT to plasma, liver, and feces similarly by 17-22% (P < 0.05), with no additional block at the liver. Hepatic gene expression further demonstrated no change in ABCG5, ABCB4, and ABCB11 expression but a decline in ABCG8 mRNA (32% P < 0.05). Plasma from zymosan-treated mice had a 21% decrease in cholesterol acceptor ability (P < 0.01) and a 35% decrease in ABCA1-specific efflux capacity (P < 0.01) in vitro. Zymosan treatment also decreased HDL levels and led to HDL remodeling with increased incorporation of serum amyloid A. In addition, cholesterol efflux from cultured macrophages declined with zymosan treatment in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that zymosan impairs in vivo RCT primarily by decreasing macrophage-derived cholesterol entering the plasma, with minimal additional blocks downstream. Our study supports the notion that RCT impairment is one of the mechanisms for the increased atherosclerotic burden observed in inflammatory conditions.
Video Game Effects-Confirmed, Suspected, and Speculative

This literature review focuses on the confirmed, suspected, and speculative effects of violent and non-violent video game exposure on negative and positive outcomes. Negative outcomes include aggressive feelings, aggressive thoughts, aggressive behavior, physiological arousal, and desensitization, whereas positive outcomes include various types of learning. Multiple theories predict, and empirical findings reveal, that violent video game exposure is causally related to a host of negative outcomes and a few positive outcomes. Some non-violent video games have been causally related to some specific positive learning effects as well as certain types of visual cognition (e.g., spatial rotation abilities) and may be associated with some negative effects on executive control and attention disorders.
A learning control system for unmanned underwater vehicles

Unmanned underwater vehicles have become an important tool for various underwater tasks because they have greater speed, endurance and depth capability as well as a higher factor of safety than human divers. However, most vehicle control systems were designed based on a simplified vehicle model and they often resulted in poor performance because of the nonlinear and time-varying vehicle dynamics having parameter uncertainties. This paper describes a new adaptive and learning (AL) control system.
Applications of high spectral resolution FTIR observations demonstrated by the radiometrically accurate ground-based AERI and the scanning HIS aircraft instruments

Development in the mid 80s of the High-resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS) for the high altitude NASA ER2 aircraft demonstrated the capability for advanced atmospheric temperature and water vapor sounding and set the stage for new satellite instruments that are now becoming a reality [AIRS (2002), CrIS (2006), IASI (2006), GIFTS (2005/6)]. Follow-on developments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that employ interferometry for a wide range of Earth observations include the ground-based Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) and the Scanning HIS aircraft instrument (S-HIS). The AERI was developed for the US DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program, primarily to provide highly accurate radiance spectra for improving radiative transfer models. The continuously operating AERI soon demonstrated valuable new capabilities for sensing the rapidly changing state of the boundary layer and properties of the surface and clouds. The S-HIS is a smaller version of the original HIS that uses cross-track scanning to enhance spatial coverage. S-HIS and its close cousin, the NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed (NAST) operated by NASA Langley, are being used for satellite instrument validation and for atmospheric research. The calibration and noise performance of these and future satellite instruments is key to optimizing their remote sensing products. Recently developed techniques for improving effective radiometric performance by removing noise in post-processing is a primary subject of this paper.
A high-performance low-power highly manufacturable embedded DRAM technology using backend hi-k MIM capacitor at 40nm node and beyond

A highly manufacturable embedded DRAM technology at 40nm node is presented. This report provides the characterization data of 128Mbit embedded DRAM test vehicle fabricated by 40nm eDRAM 200MHz low power process. The test vehicle is composed of 32 macros and each macro unit is 4Mb with configuration 32k×128 bits. The process is cost effective and compatible to our low power Logic core process with three additional critical masks to the base process. The DRAM memory cell consists of a high performance pass gate transistor and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) storage capacitor with a cell size of 0.0583 um2 (< 1/4 of SRAM 0.242 um2) and small macro size of 0.145 mm2 per Mega bits (Mb). The stacked cell capacitor is formed using low temperature processed high-k dielectrics to achieve sufficient storage capacitance in DRAM cell. Low cell device leakage below 20 fA/cell at 105°C with silicided node process coupled with the high-k storage capacitance. The macro design for random access speed can operate from 25MHz to 200 MHz comparable to 6T SRAM. It has built-in ECC parity generation and correction circuits with memory storage space used for storing parity bits. The characterization is based on 200MHz, covering Vcc+/−15% at 125°C/ 105°C/ 25°C/ −40°C. Process corner skew includes core device corners TT/FS/SF/FF/SS and fast/slow cell device. Highly manufacturing yield of 128Mb macro is achieved to demonstrate the maturity of technology. The excellent cosmic ray (neutron) soft error rate (SER) performance of less than 4FITs/Mb is also achieved. The integration technologies can be applicable to the future embedded DRAM in 28nm, 20nm node and beyond.
Surprised By Love: The Dramatic Structure and Popular Appeal of the Wakefield Second Shepherds' Pageant

The Wakefield Shepherds' Pageant has been one of the most discussed of medieval dramas and deservedly so. Edmund Taft's fresh and insightful essay provides a provocative view o f the play as popular drama, produced by the middle-class and largely for the middle class. The popular appeal of this drama rests in the technique of dramatic surprise, used so effectively by the Wakefield Master to focus on such contemporary social and moral issues as oppression of shepherds, farmers and hired hands, unfeeling masters, unwanted children and marriages of contract only. The shepherds' play, with its powerful spiritual message of love and charity, reflects not only the Church which directed the drama but also the contemporary world of those medieval burghers who produced it.
Parallel eigenvalue decomposition for Toeplitz and related matrices

Parallel algorithms for computing the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of real, symmetric Toeplitz and Toeplitz-related low-displacement-rank matrices (e.g. sample covariance matrices) are presented. In particular, the parallel implementation of a class of modified Rayleigh-quotient iteration methods is discussed. Apart from parallel factorization of Toeplitz and Toeplitz-related matrices, other levels of inherent parallelism are exploited, rendering higher efficiency for parallel implementation of these algorithms. Specifically, a parallel multisectioning method is developed on a linear array of locally connected processors. >
Role of Endotoxin in Tumor Necrosis Factor a Expression from Alveolar Macrophages Treated with Urban Air Particles

The effects of urban air and diesel particles on inflammatory cytokine gene expression, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in particular, were studied in rat alveolar macrophages. TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 gene expression and TNF-alpha secretion were increased in cells treated with 50 to 200 micrograms/mL of urban air particles in a concentration-related manner. There was no cytokine induction by diesel particles at any of the concentrations tested. Cytokine expression was not related to reactive oxygen species since antioxidants, such as catalase, TMTU, or DMSO, had no effect on TNF-alpha secretion. However, cytokine induction by urban air particles was completely prevented by polymyxin B, an antibiotic capable of neutralizing bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activities. Furthermore, LPS was detected on the urban air particles, but not on diesel particle. These results suggest that activation of cytokine gene expression and secretion in rat alveolar macrophages by urban air particles is due to the presence of endotoxin on the particles.
Combined sentinel lymphadenectomy and Mohs micrographic surgery for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background: There are subgroups of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that have a higher risk for both regional and distant metastasis. When cutaneous SCC does metastasize, it typically spreads first to local nodal groups. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization has been successfully used to evaluate nodal metastasis in breast carcinoma, melanoma, and other select tumors. It may also be useful in certain high-risk cutaneous SCCs. Currently, Mohs micrographic surgery is the treatment of choice for these tumors. Methods: A patient presented with a high-risk recurrent SCC on the forehead. The regional nodal groups were clinically negative and radiographically negative by computed tomographic scan. Sentinel lymphadenectomy was performed by means of technetium 99m-radiolabeled sulfur colloid. The main tumor was resected with Mohs micrographic surgery. Results: A left preauricular SLN was localized by lymphoscintigraphy. The SLN was located intraoperatively by means of a gamma probe and excised. Subsequent pathologic evaluation of the SLN was negative for evidence of metastatic SCC by light microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin, and with immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratins AE1 and AE3. The day after SLN excision, the tumor was removed via Mohs micrographic surgery with clear surgical margins after a total of 8 stages. Aggressive subclinical spread by both subcutaneous "skating" and perineural invasion was noted. Conclusion: The combination of Mohs micrographic surgery and sentinel lymphadenectomy is feasible and has theoretical utility in the management of a subset of cutaneous SCCs at high risk for metastasis. The ability of sentinel lymphadenectomy to identify regionally metastatic cutaneous SCC as well as the additive benefit of SLN and Mohs micrographic extirpation in the treatment of high-risk cutaneous SCC remain to be further clarified. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:483–8.)
Contribution of the Selectivity Filter to Inactivation in Potassium Channels

Voltage-gated K+ channels exhibit a slow inactivation process, which becomes an important influence on the rate of action potential repolarization during prolonged or repetitive depolarization. During slow inactivation, the outer mouth of the permeation pathway undergoes a conformational change. We report here that during the slow inactivation process, the channel progresses through at least three permeation states; from the initial open state that is highly selective for K+, the channel enters a state that is less permeable to K+ and more permeable to Na+, and then proceeds to a state that is non-conducting. Similar results were obtained in three different voltage-gated K+ channels: Kv2.1, a channel derived from Shaker (Shaker Delta A463C), and a chimeric channel derived from Kv2.1 and Kv1.3 that displays classical C-type inactivation. The change in selectivity displayed both voltage- and time-dependent properties of slow inactivation and was observed with K+ on either side of the channel. Elevation of internal [K+] inhibited Na+ conduction through the inactivating channel in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the change in selectivity filter function is an integral part of the slow inactivation mechanism, and argue against the hypothesis that the inactivation gate is independent from the selectivity filter. Thus, these data suggest that the selectivity filter is itself the inactivation gate.