cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
4-Hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenoic Acid (HOHA) Lactone is a Biologically Active Precursor for the Generation of 2-(ω-Carboxyethyl)pyrrole (CEP) Derivatives of Proteins and Ethanolamine Phospholipids

2-(ω-Carboxyethyl)pyrrole (CEP) derivatives of proteins were previously shown to have significant pathological and physiological relevance to age-related macular degeneration, cancer and wound healing. Previously, we showed that CEPs are generated in the reaction of e-amino groups of protein lysyl residues with 1-palmityl-2-(4-hydroxy-7-oxo-5-heptenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (HOHA-PC), a lipid oxidation product uniquely generated by oxidative truncation of docosahexanenate-containing phosphatidylcholine. More recently, we found that HOHA-PC rapidly releases HOHA-lactone and 2-lyso-PC (t1/2 = 30 min at 37 °C) by nonenzymatic transesterification/deacylation. Now we report that HOHA-lactone reacts with Ac-Gly-Lys-OMe or human serum albumin to form CEP derivatives in vitro. Incubation of human red blood cell ghosts with HOHA-lactone generates CEP derivatives of membrane proteins and ethanolamine phospholipids. Quantitative analysis of the products generated in the reaction HOHA-PC with Ac-Gly-Lys-O...
Snoring and insomnia are not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in the Northern Manhattan Study.

Background Sleep-disordered breathing is a risk factor for stroke, but its association with subclinical atherosclerosis remains controversial. Snoring and insomnia are frequently comorbid with sleep-disordered breathing and may contribute to stroke. Data on the relationship between snoring and insomnia with atherosclerotic disease are sparse. We investigated the relationship between markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, insomnia, snoring, and carotid intima–media thickness, in the Northern Manhattan Study. Methods A group of 1605 participants (mean age 65 ± 8 years; 40% men; 61% Hispanic, 19% black, 20% white) who had carotid intima–media thickness measurements performed was assessed for self-reported sleep habits. Habitual snoring was defined as self-reported snoring greater than four times per week. Presence of insomnia was based on three items extracted from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Carotid intima–media thickness was expressed as a mean composite measure of intima–media thickness in the carotid bifurcation, common, and internal carotid artery. Multivariate linear regression models were used to identify associations between snoring, insomnia, and carotid intima–media thickness. Results Habitual snoring was present in 29% of the subjects and insomnia in 26%. There was a higher prevalence of self-reported snoring (84%) and insomnia (66%) among Hispanics than non-Hispanics. The mean total carotid intima–media thickness was 0·95 ± 0·09 mm; among those with self-reported snoring was 0·94 ± 0·09 mm; and among those with insomnia was 0·95 ± 0·08 mm. After controlling for age, gender, race-ethnicity, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors, snoring (P=0·986) and insomnia (P=0·829) were not significantly associated with increased carotid intima–media thickness. Conclusion Snoring and insomnia were not significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in this population-based community cohort.
Oscar Wilde and the scarlet woman.

In the late nineteenth century, England was embroiled in a political debate over the importation of Roman Catholic rituals into the Anglican Church, not to mention the re-establishment of the Roman Church itself in Great Britain. Victorian anti-Catholic rhetoric draws upon the figure of the Whore of Babylon to depict the Roman Catholic Church as the Scarlet Woman, a femme fatale who perverts Christianity and seduces Englishmen with elaborate rituals and lascivious whisperings in the confessional. In writing Salome, Oscar Wilde played ironically on the hysterical eroticism of the No Popery movement by mining the paradox of biblical sensuality. He invested his play with a biblical wealth of archaic metaphors and gestures that took their cues from The Song of Songs and The Book of Revelation. He became the ecclesiastical dandy that evangelicals feared most, a poet enamored of the Scarlet Woman, a would-be convert who exposed the scandal of Christianity as art.
Billion Dollar Baby: Local Foods and U.S. Grocery

This study reviews consumer purchasing of locally produced foods in retail grocery stores. A U.S. sample of 590 consumers was drawn via an online survey, with structural equation modeling used to assess hypothesized relationships of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention to purchase, extent of purchase, and the moderating effects of shopping channel type. Results from structural model testing suggested that all hypothesized relationships except that of purchase intention and extent of purchase were found to be significant, with group differences existing between supercenters/warehouses and farmers’ market shopping channels. Implications and future research directions are provided.
Variations2: retrieving and using music in an academic setting

University music students, teachers, and researchers discover and retrieve musical works and navigate within them, then create annotations and share them with other users.
Composite growth in hypermonotectic alloys

The feasibility of solidifying uniformly aligned composites from alloys of hypermonotectic composition was investigated through the use of organic analogues and a directional solidification temperature gradient stage. Previously demonstrated macrostructurally detrimental effects due to coalescence and/or preferential wetting (or lack of) by the excess LII phase have been taken advantage of by the inclusion of constrained fibers aligned parallel to the growth direction. Upon passing through the miscibility gap,L II droplets are shown to attach and grow along the fibers prior to the monotectic reaction, resulting in a uniform composite. The results of different fiber materials in combination with “wetting” and “nonwetting” miscibility gap systems are presented and discussed in reference to processing in a microgravity environment.
The detection sensitivity of heavy impurities in Si using 280 keV He2+ and C2+ back-scattering

Background limitations, especially those involving pulse pile-up, on the sensitivity to detection of heavy elements near the surface of Si were investigated with back-scattered 250 keV He2+ and C2+. Using gated electronics, pulse pile-up was reduced by as much as a factor of 1/60, which permitted a detection sensitivity, i.e., equal signal and background, of approximately 2 x 1011 Tl atoms/cm2 for He2+ back-scattering, while C2+ back-scattering data showed a detection sensitivity of about 2 x 1010 Tl atoms/cm2. Back-scattering from Si implanted with 20 keV Tl+to doses of 1 x 1013 and 1 x 1012 and C2+ back- scattering sensitivities.
Fiber-optic polarization and phase modulator utilizing transparent piezofilm with indium tin oxide electrodes.

A highly efficient optical polarization and phase modulator formed by the placement of a thin transparent piezofilm with indium tin oxide electrodes directly in the path of the output from an optical fiber is presented. Various configurations that differ in the clamping conditions, utilization of epoxy, and optical arrangement are presented. For a film thickness of 63.9 μm, a linear phase-shifting coefficient of 0.131 rad/voltage peak (Vp) at 2 kHz and of 0.508 rad/Vp at 7.4 kHz is demonstrated. An intrinsic birefringence of 0.0328 between the directions along the stretch and its perpendicular in the plane of the film has been measured. The polarization modulation coefficient was determined to be 0.323 rad/Vp at 8.423 kHz, corresponding to a half-wave voltage of 8.353 Vp. Applications of the device involving concurrent spatiotemporal polarization and phase modulation are indicated.
Open extremity fractures: impact of delay in operative debridement and irrigation.

BACKGROUNDEarly (<8 hours) operative debridement and irrigation (D&I) of open fractures are considered essential to reduce the risk of deep infection. With the advent of powerful antimicrobials, this axiom has been challenged. The current study evaluates the rates of deep infections of open fracture
Synthesis and release of deoxycytidine by human B and T lymphoblasts

Abstract Deoxycytidine kinase activity is abundant in human T and B lymphocytes. However, the role of the enzyme in endogenous deoxynucleoside metabolism has not been established. The present experiments show that dividing human B lymphoblasts, but not T lymphoblasts, release substantial amounts of deoxycytidine (dCyd) into the medium, and have an active dCyd-dCMP (deoxycytidine-deoxycytidine 5′-phosphate) substrate cycle. Exogenous dCyd has been shown to protect human lymphocytes from the toxic effects of deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine and related compounds. Thus, the differential rates of dCyd release by T and B lymphocytes may affect the sensitivities of the two cell types to the growth inhibitory effects of exogenous deoxynucleosides.
Lessons Learned from the September 11th Disaster: A State Health Agency Perspective

The New York State Department of Health has conducted a number of studies over the past 10 years investigating health impacts related to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) disaster among New York City residents and New York State World Trade Center (WTC) responders. Efforts to evaluate the health effects of WTC exposures in these cohorts presented numerous challenges, including study design and associated concerns about bias, identifying the affected populations, gaining community support and participation, and determining the most appropriate clinical testing and follow-up approaches. The unique position of a state public health agency provided multiple points of support for these efforts. An overview of what was found and the lessons learned during the response to the 9/11 disaster is presented, from the viewpoint of a state public health agency.
Quantum Interference in the Spin-Polarized Heavy Fermion Compound CeB 6 : Evidence for Topological Deformation of the Fermi Surface in Strong Magnetic Fields

We report susceptibility experiments in magnetic fields up to 60thinspthinspT and show conclusively that the de Haas{endash}van Alphen oscillations originate from a single spin Fermi surface. New observed frequencies present in magnetic breakdown and quantum interference oscillations indicate that the Fermi-surface topology changes as a function of the applied field while maintaining a constant volume. These results are not expected from the Anderson lattice model. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Beam-foil spectra of phosphorus (1.5 to 6 MeV)

Abstract Foil-excited phosphorus spectra between λ 300–6000 A is being studied. Phosphene (PH 3 ) is injected into the r.f. ion source of the University of Arizona 6 MeV Van de Graaff, and P + ions are accelerated to energies between 1.5 and 6 MeV. Spectral studies using Seya-Namioka (λ300–600 A), and Model 225 McPherson (λ600–3000 A) spectrometers have produced spectra belonging to P IV, P V, and P VI. The Model 225 was refocused to get highly-resolved spectra. Most of the expected lines in P V have been identified, but at present over 50% of the lines are yet unassigned to existing energy-level schemes.
Effective operator treatment of the anharmonic oscillator

We analyse the one dimensional quartic oscillator using the effective operator methodology of Lee and Suzuki. We reproduce known results for low lying energy eigenvalues.
CHEMISTRY AND MICROSTRUCTURE AT METAL-POLYMER INTERFACES

This paper summarizes the present knowledge of the chemistry and microstructure at metal-polymer interfaces formed on PMDA-ODA polyimide. The nature of chemical bonding was deduced from electronic structures observed by photoemission spectroscopies and interpreted by molecular orbital calculations. Bonding at the initial coverages of the metals studied are well described by the formation of metal-polymer complexes as a result of delocalized charge transfer from the metal to the polymer repeat unit. The microstructure was observed directly by transmission electron microscopy and ion scattering techniques. The morphology was found to be strongly dependent on the chemical reactivity of the interface. This correlation between chemistry and microstructure is important for understanding adhesion at the metal-polymer interface.
Intrinsic Gap States in Semiconductor Nanocrystals

We demonstrate the existence of intrinsic gap states in bare and capped semiconductor nanocrystals within multiband effective mass theory. These states originate from Shockley-like surface states which, in small nanocrystals, extend over the entire crystal volume, facilitating their observation in absorption as well as in photoluminescence. The conditions under which such intrinsic states might be observed are discussed in light of the theory developed and analysis of the band parameters of direct gap semiconductors.
Contrasting blue-on-yellow with white-on-white visual fields: Roles of visual adaptation for healthy peri- or postmenopausal women younger than 70 years of age.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that differences between short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and white-on-white visual field sensitivities are related to between-individual variation in the visual adaptation properties of SWS cone pathways. Methods Twenty-six healthy amenorrheic (peri- or postmenopausal) women not using hormonal medication were tested. Subjects ranged in age from 48 to 68 years. They were tested by using foveal increment-threshold techniques and also with two types of 24-2 visual field tests: a full-threshold SWAP blue-on-yellow (B/Y) test and a white-on-white (W/W) test obtained using a Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA Standard). The age-corrected sensitivity differences between the two types of visual fields were compared against foveal measures of visual sensitivity and adaptation, which were obtained psychophysically using dim and bright yellow backgrounds. All measurements for each subject were made at a single testing session. The comparisons were made for the entire visual field and for separate portions of the visual field. The analyses also included pupil size data obtained during visual field testing. Results The B/Y minus W/W (B/Y - W/W) mean deviation difference was described (R = 0.80) by a multilinear model with three significant factors: (1) an adaptation factor and (2) a baseline sensitivity factor, each derived from the foveal psychophysical data for short-wavelength test stimuli, and (3) a pupil size factor, as recorded for SWAP. The total deviation differences in the periphery of the visual field (approximately 22 degrees from fixation) were described (R = 0.87) by a model with four significant factors, the fourth being an "eccentricity factor" describing the rate of change of the B/Y - W/W total deviation difference measured as a function of increasing retinal eccentricity approximately 9 degrees -17 degrees from fixation. More than 40% of the variance in the B/Y - W/W mean deviation differences was accounted for either directly or indirectly (via effects of pupil size) by variations in adaptation to the yellow background used for SWAP. Conclusions Much of the extra variability in SWAP sensitivities for a select group of healthy women can be accounted for by differences in the degree of desensitization induced by the yellow background used for SWAP. For clinical practice, pupil status (dilated or undilated) should be altered only with caution from one SWAP testing session to another.
Simulations on polymer networks and their elastomeric properties

A variety of examples are given to illustrate how computer modeling techniques are being used to elucidate the structures of elastomeric polymer networks and the rubberlike elasticity they exhibit.
High-Frequency Noise in the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Intersatellite Ranging System

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment mission consists of two satellites flying in tandem with a highprecision intersatellite rangemeasurement system. The rangemeasurements are collected continuously and are used tomake accurate determinations of theEarth’s gravity field atmonthly intervals. The changes in themonthlymodels (i.e., the temporal variations in the gravity field) are manifestations of the global mass change between the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and land systems. The primary focus of the study was twofold: 1) to understand the characteristics and sources of the high-frequency noise, in the range of 0.02–0.1Hz, in the dual one-way ranging, and 2) to explore methods for mitigating the effect of the noise. Based on the mathematical model of the dual one-way ranging observation, the Allan variance was computed from the K-band range measurements to establish an upper bound for the frequency instability of the ultrastable oscillators and its contribution to the high-frequency noise. Because the residuals of the time derivative of the dual one-way ranging are dominated by the high-frequency noise, they were also examined to evaluate the contributions of various other factors such as the system noise from the microwave receiver and the antenna offset correction noise. The results indicate that the systemnoise is the dominant source of the excessive high-frequency noise. As one method of mitigation for the ongoing mission, a tighter bandwidth filter for the dual one-way ranging was investigated.
Stem‐cell therapy for hepatobiliary pancreatic disease

The transplantation of pancreatic beta cells or hepatocytes represents a potential therapeutic approach for type I diabetes and inherited liver diseases, respectively. Furthermore, acquired liver diseases, particularly acute hepatic failure due to toxic or viral injury, have been treated in limited clinical trials with fetal and adult hepatocytes. However, a major limitation is the insufficient amount of beta cells and hepatocytes available for grafts. Alternative sources of these cells have yet to be determined. During the past few years, progress has been made in the development of new strategies to produce mature beta cells and hepatocytes. In this review, we outline the current state of scientific understanding and controversy regarding the properties of embryonic and adult stem cells in the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. Our objective is to provide a framework of understanding for the challenges behind translating fundamental stem cell biology into clinical therapies.
Shared Appointments in Heart Failure Team Model Value Add or Not Ready For Prime Time

In this issue of Circulation: Heart Failure , Smith et al1 report findings from a randomized trial comparing usual care posthospital discharge (healthcare provider led office appointments) and usual care plus 4 weekly shared (group) appointments and 1 booster shared appointment at 6 months, involving groups of 4 to 8 patients, who were discharged ≤8 weeks prior. The premise was that shared appointments would allow for more extensive education, more face time with healthcare providers, greater opportunities to identify self-management issues and greater opportunities for multidisciplinary professionals and fellow patients to engage in problem solving for themselves and others. The intervention group received transportation vouchers and an experienced heart failure (HF) nurse practitioner, mental health clinical nurse specialist, social worker, and dietician used 2 theoretical models to guide the intervention. The Chronic Care Model2,3 focused on patients by encouraging and activating them to be engaged in self-management and also on the healthcare team, by ensuring that they were prepared and proactive in fostering productive, interactive relationships. The second model, the American College of Physicians’ Family Home Care Management Guide, offered multiple strategies to enhance postdischarge care, including video education, shared group visits, and patient-centered medical home concepts. Patients randomized to both groups received standardized HF education beyond what was delivered during hospitalization in the form of a 5-part digital video disc of self-management strategies. Patients in the usual care group took the digital video disc home and patients receiving shared appointments reviewed and discussed 1 segment of the digital video disc as a group at each intervention visit. Article see p 888 The shared appointments’ intervention had multiple features. Patients completed daily self-monitoring checklists/diaries of weight, sodium and fluid intake, physical activity, HF symptoms, and emotions and brought their information to shared appointments. During the shared …
Microcontact printing directly on the silicon surface

Alkoxyl thin films were deposited directly onto silicon surfaces by microcontact printing. This is based on an efficient reaction between alcohol functional groups and chlorine-terminated silicon s...
Bioactivation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorenes by N,O-acyltransferase: substituent effects on covalent binding to DNA.

N-Acetoxyarylamines are reactive metabolites that lead to arylamine adduct formation with biological macromolecules. A series of 7-substituted-N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorenes were converted to reactive N-acetoxyarylamines by enzymatic N,O-acyltransfer in the presence of DNA. The N-arylhydroxamic acid substrates that contained electronegative 7-substituents formed greater amounts of DNA adducts than either the unsubstituted compound (N-OH-AAF) or those analogs that contained electron-donating groups in the 7-position. Glutathione did not decrease the rates of DNA adduct formation, but other nucleophiles, such as potassium O-ethylxanthate, thiourea and N-acetylmethionine, inhibited adduct formation by the 7-Br-substituted compound (7-Br-N-OH-AAF) and the unsubstituted parent compound (N-OH-AAF). Nucleophiles, reducing agents (e.g. ascorbic acid) and spin-trapping agents had minimal effect on DNA adduct formation by the bioactivated form of 7-acetyl-2-(N-hydroxy-acetylamino)fluorene (7-Ac-N-OH-AAF). Triethylphosphite, an agent that reacts with aryl nitrenes, caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the amount of DNA adduct formed subsequent to bioactivation of 7-Ac-N-OH-AAF, but did not influence adduct formation when N-OH-AAF and 7-Br-N-OH-AAF were the substrates. The results indicate that a change in the reaction mechanism(s) responsible for DNA adduct formation occurred when the strongly electronegative acetyl group was incorporated into the 7-position of N-OH-AAF. It is proposed that a nitrene intermediate is involved in the formation of covalent adducts with DNA when 7-Ac-N-OH-AAF is activated by N,O-acyltransfer.
Eocene -Oligocene paleoceanography of the deep Bay of Biscay: Benthic foraminiferal evidence

Abstract A major change in benthic foraminiferal assemblages occurred in the deep Bay of Biscay (> 3 km water; DSDP Sites 119, and Site 400A) between early middle Eocene and earliest Oligocene. Predominant Eocene deep-sea taxa (Nuttallides truempyi, Clinapertina spp., Abyssamina spp.) and associated rarer species became extinct in this interval. These extinctions were followed by an increase in abundance of bathymetrically wide-ranging and stratigraphically long-ranging taxa: Globocassidulina subglobosa, Oridorsalis spp., Gyroidinoides spp., and the Cibicidoides ungerianus plexus. The extinctions cannot be dated precisely from the stratigraphic record recovered to date in the Bay of Biscay; however, the replacement of the N. truempyi-dominated assemblage has been noted previously in the deep South Atlantic/Caribbean as occurring near the middle/late Eocene boundary. Other than the decrease in abundance and extinction of N. truempyi, no major abundance changes are noted within the Eocene at the shallower Site 401 (∼ 2 km water) in the Bay of Biscay. During the Oligocene, Nuttallides umbonifera replaced the Eocene species N. truempyi as the predominant deep-sea benthic foraminifera, reaching peak abundance in the middle Oligocene at Sites 119 and Site 400A. In the modern oceans, the abundance ot N. umbonifera is positively correlated with increased corrosiveness of bottom water, while at Site 119 the abundance of Nuttallides spp. is negatively correlated with δ 13C values in benthic foraminifera. As lower δ 13C values are often associated with older water masses, large numbers of Nuttallides spp. are thought to reflect older, and more corrosive bottom water. The faunal data and oxygen and carbon isotopic data are compared with a circulation model derived from North Atlantic seismic stratigraphic studies to show that old, warm, corrosive, and sluggish Eocene bottom water was replaced by younger, colder, less corrosive, more vigorously circulating bottom water of northern origin by the early Oligocene. Faunal and isotopic data suggest that bottom water became older and more corrosive again in the middle Oligocene, reflecting a reduction in circulation that can also be inferred from the seismic record in the nearby Rockall Plateau region.
Fickle Hexadienes. Manipulating the Relative Energies of Chairlike and Boatlike Transition Structures for the Cope Rearrangement

We report calculations on various hexadienes that can assume both chairlike and boatlike conformations, yet turn out (theoretically) to have transition structures for boatlike Cope rearrangement that are equal to or lower in energy than those of alternative chairlike structures. Pathways connecting boatlike and chairlike transition states in these systems also allow for unusual and facile isomerization pathways of certain strained alkenes.
Oscillating flow of a simple fluid in a pipe

Abstract Poiseuille flow of an elastico-viscous liquid in a straight, circular pipe driven by a pressure gradient oscillating about a non-zero mean is investigated. The simple fluid of the multiple integral type presents a flow enhancement which depends on the frequency and amplitude of the oscillation, magnitude of the mean pressure gradient and the material functions of the fluid. A closed form expression for the flow rate alteration, independent of any explicit representations for the material functions, is developed at the lowest order in the perturbation algorithm where nonlinear effects appear. Asymptotic analyses of the flow rate enhancement at small and large frequencies are presented.
Special issue on digital products

In this special issue of the Information Systems and e-Business Management (ISeB) we address the topic of ‘‘Digital Products’’. The three papers encompass the areas of IT, MIS, Marketing, and Strategy, which is becoming more and more necessary to tackle interdisciplinary issues that occur in electronic commerce such as bundling, sampling on digital music, and affiliate marketing. These papers use the interdisciplinary tools of IT, MIS, Marketing and Strategy to study ‘‘Digital Products’’. First, ‘‘Digital Bundling’’ by Akcura and Altinkemer, is a paper analyzing bundling strategies of low-marginal-cost digital goods. Zero marginal-cost firms provide all-in-one bundles as other papers in the literature also examine. When the marginal cost increases it becomes profitable to offer many bundles. Hence this paper studies the whole spectrum of bundles: from all-in-one bundles to many bundles, and highlights the criteria that leads to different kinds of bundling situations. This paper uses game theoretic approach to analyze digital bundling and involve MIS, Marketing and Strategy. Second, ‘‘Does sampling influence customers in online retailing of digital music’’ Hu, Liu, Bose, and Shen, is an empirical study investigating the effects of sampling for digital music. The paper tries to answer questions such as when an e-tailer is likely to provide sampling for digital music and under what conditions an e-tailer is better off with sampling. This paper is a good example of interdisciplinary research. Third, ‘‘Affiliated Marketing’’ by Akcura, examines an interesting topic of when a web site should be sending customers to other firms’ (affiliates’) sites. It takes into account the cannibalization that may occur by sending the customers to the affiliates’ sites. This paper uses a game theoretic framework to analyze this situation. It uses the MIS and Marketing cross section research very well.
Testing of a scintillating fiber PET system

We are continuing the characterization of a PET module using plastic scintillating fibers coupled to position sensitive photomultipliers. The sensitivity in air and the resolution in air and water are tabulated for a source positioned at nine locations within the detector field of view. The full width half maximum resolution for a 0.5 mm diameter Na-22 source in air and water is approximately 2.5 m. The sensitivity is 19 c.p.s./(mu) Ci.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A test of fit for lattice distributions

The goodness of fit of a model for count data f 0(x;θ)x ∊ {0,1,2,…}, may be judged by measuring the discrepancy between the probability generating functions of model and data--p 0)(t;θ) =; Σt x f 0(x;θ) vs. p n(t) = Σt x f n(x). A formal test based on the mean difference between them , is widely applicable, has better power than the Pearson chi-squared test in-distinguishing common lattice models, and compares favorably with newer, specialized tests. Plots of p n − p 0 give a visual Interpretation of the results and the nature of departures from H 0.
Routine Serum Enzyme Tests in the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Cost-Effectiveness

• To determine the cost-effectiveness of routine use of serial SGOT, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and LDH isoenzyme determinations in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 166 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit were prospectively identified and clinical findings analyzed independently using predetermined criteria. Based on chest pain characteristics, ECG, and creatine kinase—MB (CK-MB) results, patients were placed in categories of definite AMI (31%), possible AMI (34%), or AMI excluded (36%). The SGOT and/or LDH patterns were considered positive (ie, suggestive of AMI) in 82% of the patients with definite AMI but only confirmed CK-MB results. Positive SGOT/LDH results yielded new clinically relevant information in only 14 patients (8%). Total charges for SGOT/LDH determinations in these 166 patients totaled $10,938 or approximately $780 for each additional clinically important positive result. When serial ECG and CK-MB results are available,routineserial SGOT/LDH determinations are not justified. (Arch Intern Med1983;143:1541-1543)
The Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) Procedure: New Challenges

The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a controlled technique that is designed to allow partial fetal delivery via cesarean section with subsequent establish| ment of a safe fetal airway by either intubation or bronchoscopy, while fetal oxygenation is maintained through attachment to placental circulation. 1,2 The most common indication for the EXIT procedure is the presence of fetal airway obstruction, which is usually caused by a prenatally diagnosed neck mass. We report 3 cases involving special challenges (morbid maternal obesity, preterm labor, extreme fetal prematurity, intralesional hemorrhage, and platelet trapping) and a new indication (severe micrognathia) for the EXIT procedure. As familiarity with the EXIT procedure increases among pediatric otolaryngologists, new indications and select departures from standard EXIT protocol should be considered for unusually challenging cases, as long as meticulous preoperative planning is maintained.
Jürgen Handke (2001). The Mouton interactive introduction to phonetics and phonology. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. CD-ROM.

The Mouton interactive introduction to phonetics and phonology (henceforth MIIPP) is an informative and interesting interactive CD introduction to phonetics and phonology. It is compatible with both Macintosh (version 8.1 or higher) and Windows (NT 4.0 or higher, 95 or higher) operating systems. Ambitious in coverage and innovative in its multimedia presentation, the CD offers an engaging overview of a number of topics in phonetics and phonology, including articulatory phonetics, auditory phonetics, acoustics, segmental and prosodic phonology, and phonological theory. It is ideal for informal self-study or as an accompaniment to a formal undergraduate introductory course in phonetics and phonology, used in conjunction with a textbook or other materials.
Genotoxicity, Mitochondrial Damage, and Apoptosis in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells Exposed to Peroxynitrite Generated from SIN-1

SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine), the active metabolite of the vasodilator drug molsidomine, decomposes spontaneously in solution. In the presence of oxygen, NO* and O(2)(*-) are released, generating peroxynitrite, a potent oxidizing agent, at a constant rate over a 2 h period. We utilized this system to investigate mechanisms of peroxynitrite-induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage in two human lymphoblastoid cell lines carrying either wild-type (TK6 cells) or mutant p53 (WTK-1 cells) genes. Treatment of TK6 cells with 5 mM SIN-1 for 1.5 h resulted in 28 +/- 6% survival 24 h later. Exposure in the presence of different radical scavengers significantly increased survival, as follows: cytochrome c, 96 +/- 3%; Tiron, 69 +/- 0%; SOD plus catalase, 83 +/- 5%; carboxy-PTIO, 87 +/- 3%; and uric acid, 87 +/- 2%. D-mannitol was ineffective in reducing lethality, as were SOD and catalase when added individually or in heat-inactivated form. Spontaneous as well as SIN-1-induced mutant fractions (MF) in both HPRT and TK genes were significantly higher in WTK-1 cells than in TK6 cells (p < 0.05-0.01). Exposure to 2.5 mM SIN-1 induced time-dependent apoptosis in TK6 cells, but not in WTK-1 cells. Mitochondrial membrane depolarization was also observed in both cell lines after SIN-1 treatment. Neutral comet assay demonstrated that SIN-1 treatment resulted in higher levels of DNA double-strand breaks in TK6 cells than in WTK-1 cells. Collectively, these data show that SIN-1 can be used as an effective peroxynitrite generator in cell culture experiments under these experimental conditions, in which it induced a greater apoptotic response but was less potent as a mutagen in TK6 cells compared with WTK-1 cells. Thus, p53 status was an important determinant of SIN-1 induced mutagenesis and apoptosis in these two human lymphoblastoid cell lines.
Spatially-Balanced Complete Block designs for field experiments

Spatial heterogeneity in fields may affect the outcome of experiments. The conventional randomized allocation of treatments to plots may cause bias and variable precision in the presence of trends (including periodicity) and spatial autocorrelation. Agricultural scientists appear to mostly use conventional experimental designs that are susceptible to adverse affects from field variability. The objectives of this research were to (i) quantify the use of different experimental designs in agronomic field experiments, and (ii) develop spatially-balanced designs that are insensitive to the effects of both trends and spatial autocorrelation. A review was performed of all research efforts reported in Volumes 93–95 of the Agronomy Journal and the frequency of various experimental designs was determined. It showed that the vast majority (96.7%) of agronomic field experiments are implemented through Randomized Complete Block (RCB) designs. The method of simulated annealing was used to develop Spatially-Balanced Complete Block (SBCB) designs based on two objective functions: promoting spatial balance among treatment contrasts, and disallowing treatments to occur in the same position in different blocks, when possible. SBCB designs were successfully developed for designs up to 15 treatments and 15 replications. Square SBCB designs were realized as Latin Squares, and perfect spatial balance was obtained when feasible. SBCB designs are simple to implement, are analyzed through conventional ANOVAs, and provide protection against the adverse effects of spatial heterogeneity, while randomized allocation of treatments still ensures against user bias. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Fall Detection Based on Sequential Modeling of Radar Signal Time-Frequency Features

Falls are one of the greatest threats to elderly health as they carry out their daily living routines and activities. Therefore, it is very important to detect falls of an elderly in a timely and accurate manner, so that immediate response and proper care can be rendered. Radar is an effective non-intrusive sensing modality which is well suited for this purpose. It can detect human motions in all types of environments, penetrate walls and fabrics, preserve privacy, and is insensitive to lighting conditions. In this paper, we use micro-Doppler features in radar signal corresponding to human body motions and gait to detect falls using a narrowband pulse-Doppler radar. Human motions cause time-varying Doppler signatures, which are analyzed using time-frequency representations and matching pursuit decomposition for feature extraction and fall detection. The extracted features include the principal components of the time-frequency signal representations. To analyze the sequential characteristics of typical falls, we use the extracted signal features for training and testing hidden Markov models and support vector machines indifferent falling scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm and method achieve fast and accurate fall detections.
Differential disease symptoms and full-length genome sequence analysis for three strains of Tobacco etch virus.

Tobacco etch virus (TEV) strains HAT, Mex21, and N have been the focus of numerous studies to dissect a host resistance mechanism in Capsicum spp. Little is known, however, about their general pathogenicity and genomic sequence data are not available on the TEV strains Mex21 and N. Four Nicotiana spp. were evaluated after inoculation with each TEV strain. Nicotiana tabacum ‘Kentucky 14’ and N. clevelandii plants expressed varied systemic symptoms dependent on the TEV strain; however, disease severity increased from HAT (mild mosaic symptoms) to Mex21 (more severe mosaic symptoms with stunting) to N (severe chlorosis and stunting). Nicotiana tabacum ‘Samsun’ plants developed relatively milder symptoms and N. glutinosa plants remained symptomless, although they were systemically infected. The genome of each TEV strain was sequenced and shown to consist of 9,495 nucleotides and a polyprotein of 3,054 amino acids. Comparison of their nucleotide sequences relative to the original HAT sequence (GenBank Accession No. M11458) revealed 95, 92, and 92 % identity for HAT-AU (from Auburn University), Mex21, and N, respectively. HAT-AU had 91 % sequence identity with Mex21 and N, while Mex21 and N were more closely related with 98 % nucleotide sequence identity. Similarly, the amino acid sequence identities for the full-length polyprotein ranged from 95 % for HAT-AU when compared with N to a high of 98 % identity between Mex21 and N.
MicroRNAs in Cancer Biology and Therapy: Current Status and Perspectives

The study of a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, named microRNAs (miRNAs), has advanced our understanding of many of the fundamental processes of cancer biology and the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation and progression. MiRNA research has become more and more attractive as evidence is emerging that miRNAs likely play important regulatory roles virtually in all essential bioprocesses. Looking at this field over the past decade it becomes evident that our understanding of miRNAs remains rather incomplete. As research continues to reveal the mechanisms underlying cancer therapy efficacy, it is clear that miRNAs contribute to responses to drug therapy and are themselves modified by drug therapy. One important area for miRNA research is to understand the functions of miRNAs and the relevant signaling pathways in the initiation, progression and drug-resistance of tumors to be able to design novel, effective targeted therapeutics that directly target pathologically essential miRNAs and/or their target genes. Another area of increasing importance is the use of miRNA signatures in the diagnosis and prognosis of various types of cancers. As the study of non-coding RNAs is increasingly more popular and important, it is without doubt that the next several years of miRNA research will provide more fascinating results.
Infantile granular parakeratosis: Recognition of two clinical patterns

Granular parakeratosis is an acquired, idiopathic disorder of keratinization typified by retention hyperkeratosis. It usually occurs in women at intertriginous sites. There have been only 2 reports of infants with granular parakeratosis to our knowledge. We describe 3 additional infants with granular parakeratosis. We demonstrate that infantile granular parakeratosis exhibits 2 clinical patterns: bilateral linear plaques in the inguinal folds; and erythematous geometric plaques underlying pressure points from the diaper. A thick, flakelike scale is present in both forms and is characteristic. Diaper wearing appears to play an important role in the genesis of infantile granular parakeratosis but the mechanisms are unclear. Therapeutic responsiveness to topical agents is ambiguous, however, spontaneous clearance after months to 1 year appears to be the rule.
Far-field analysis of axially symmetric three-dimensional directional cloaks

Axisymmetric radiating and scattering structures whose rotational invariance is broken by non-axisymmetric excitations present an important class of problems in electromagnetics. For such problems, a cylindrical wave decomposition formalism can be used to efficiently obtain numerical solutions to the full-wave frequency-domain problem. Often, the far-field, or Fraunhofer region is of particular interest in scattering cross-section and radiation pattern calculations; yet, it is usually impractical to compute full-wave solutions for this region. Here, we propose a generalization of the Stratton-Chu far-field integral adapted for 2.5D formalism. The integration over a closed, axially symmetric surface is analytically reduced to a line integral on a meridional plane. We benchmark this computational technique by comparing it with analytical Mie solutions for a plasmonic nanoparticle, and apply it to the design of a three-dimensional polarization-insensitive cloak.
Pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs). Why should we be interested

Over the past decade, pharmaceutical benefit management companies (PBMs) have assumed an expanded role as intermediaries in the design and administration of pharmacy programmes. PBMs now provide a range of sophisticated, clinically oriented services that increasingly influence physicians' prescribing patterns and patients' access to pharmaceuticals. This paper reviews the nature and extent of this new level of intervention that has a tendency to centralise the prescribing and dispensing functions. The terms of engagement between PBMs and pharmaceutical firms that own or do business with PBMs have provoked inquiries and oversight by a number of federal government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In January 1998, the FDA published a proposed guideline with implications for PBM promotional activities and the drug companies that influence those promotions. The paper concludes with an overview of potential liability issues relevant to the new functions and relationships of PBMs.
Beta-blockers in hypertensive and coronary heart disease.

β -Blockers are widely used in cardiovascular medicine. In patients with hypertension, β-blockers show beneficial effects on clinical end points of stroke and coronary heart disease prevention and mortality. β-Blockers also are well established in improving exercise tolerance and decreasing the number and duration of anginal attacks in patients with angina pectoris. Based on evidence showing reduced mortality and morbidity, β-blockers are the cornerstone of therapy after acute myocardial infarction. Unfortunately, presumption of poor tolerance has left these drugs underutilized in this clinical setting, despite data that indicate a wide range of tolerability. The use of β-blockers in patients with congestive heart failure results in beneficial hemodynamic effects and symptomatic improvement. Among factors that should be considered when selecting a β-blocker for an individual patient are demonstrated efficacy of the drug in a specific indication, tolerability, product formulation and duration of action, and the presence or absence of specific properties such as cardioselectivity. (Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:1267-1276)
Managing a phased retirement program: The case of UNC

The implications of the policy choices made in setting up a phased retirement system are demonstrated by its variety of outcomes.
EFFECTS OF PHOTOTHERAPY ON INTESTINAL DISACCHARIDASE ACTIVITY IN THE RAT

Diarrhea occurs in some newborns undergoing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia presumably due to decreased intestinal lactase activity. Such an effect may result directly from photo-energy or photo-oxidative products on the enzyme. To study the mechanism of this diarrheal state, a congenitally jaundiced homozygote Gunn rat (jj) and a non-icteric heterozygote litter mate (Jj) were used. Both jj and Jj adult rats were shaved of hair, treated with phototherapy for 48 hours, sacrificed, and the activity of lactase and sucrase determined in intestinal mucosal scrappings. In 5 therapy treated jj rats, lactase and sucrase activities were 2.1 and 14.1 umol/g/min respectively, compared to 4.7 and 24.0 in 5 untreated jj controls (p < .05 lactase, and p < .001 sucrase). There were no significant changes in disaccharidase activities in a group of 13 similarly treated Jj rats. A stable mucosal peptidase, GGTP, was unaffected in jj and Jj phototherapy treated rats. Bile collected from a treated jj rat had no effect on disaccharidase activities when incubated with mucosa in vitro. Incubation of mucosa with serum from a treated jj rat similarly had no effect on disaccharidase activities. The in vivo decrease in disaccharidase activities in phototherapy treated jaundiced rats (jj) but not in their anicteric litter mates (Jj) suggests that the photo-oxidative products and not direct light-energy alters disaccharidase activities. The mechanism for inhibition remains unknown.
Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy results in physiologic changes in almost all organ systems in the body mediated mainly by female sex hormones. Physiologic changes of pregnancy influence the dental management of women during pregnancy. Understanding these normal changes is essential for providing quality care for pregnant women. This review article briefly discusses the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, endocrine, and oral physiologic changes that occur during normal gestation. A summary of current scientific knowledge of ionizing radiation is presented. Information about the compatibility, complications, and excretion of the common drugs during pregnancy is provided. Drugs and their usage during breast-feeding are also discussed. Guidelines for the management of a pregnant patient in the dental office are summarized.